At least 38 endangered sawfish have died since January as reports of unusual fish “turning” increase. … [+]
“Stay strong!” a member of the rescue team yelled over the sound of water splashing as the creature hit the harness. “be careful!”
A team of passionate researchers and wildlife experts from the Florida Keys embarked on a desperate rescue mission to save one of the rarest creatures on earth. Target: Koban saw (Pristis pectinata), is currently facing a mysterious extinction that threatens its existence. This endangered species lives in the coastal waters of the southeastern United States and South America and is known for its distinctive appearance. It has a long, flat snout with serrated teeth that resemble a saw, hence its common name. Despite its formidable appearance, the smalltooth sawfish poses little threat to humans, primarily preying on small fish and crustaceans using its unique proboscis to stun prey. However, due to habitat loss, overfishing, and accidental capture in fishing gear, their numbers have declined dramatically. Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining populations and restore habitat.
This is especially true since at least 38 endangered sawfish have died in the Sunshine State since January. The urgency of the situation prompted a collaborative effort involving state agencies, research institutions, and stakeholders. The scale of the crisis is undeniable, with more than 400 reports flooded into the Fish Control Hotline and more than 200 samples collected. The report dates back to the fall of 2023, when the first rotating fish sightings appeared in the Florida Keys. Since then, more than 50 species have shown dire symptoms. “We could not continue to sit and watch this endangered sawfish die. We had to begin this complex emergency response operation in collaboration with our partners to attempt to rescue and recover the fish,” said Adam Blame, National Marine Fisheries Service Sawfish Recovery Coordinator.
The 11-foot male sawfish was rescued off the coast of Cujo Key on April 5 and relocated to Moat Marine. … [+]
The operation, spearheaded by the Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Team and led by Tonya Wiley of Havenworth Coastal Conservancy, successfully captured an 11-foot male sawfish off Cudjoe Key on April 5th. , reached an important milestone. This comes just days after a federal effort began to track and rescue sawfish exhibiting unexplained rolling and slamming behavior, helping to understand the deadly trend and This was the first step in a desperate effort to counter this. The male was immediately seen by a veterinarian and kept in a temporary holding tank in the Keys for a week. After this short stay, he was quickly transferred to a rehabilitation facility at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota. This relocation was more than just a rescue operation. Wylie’s team, along with dedicated wildlife experts, wasted no time in thoroughly examining the suffering sawfish. The recovery of this predator provides scientists with important data that could unravel the mysteries behind the sawfish’s extinction and the widespread suffering observed in other marine species such as stingrays, crabs, and sharks. It gave me the opportunity to.
Despite extensive testing, including autopsies and environmental analyses, the exact trigger remains unknown. Pathogens, bacterial infections, water quality, and toxins from red tide blooms have all been ruled out as potential causes. “We’re going to learn everything we can from this animal,” Wiley said. “This will help with future saw production.” The Florida Legislature has earmarked up to $2 million in funding to address the crisis, but most of that money won’t be available until the summer. “We can’t wait that long,” Wiley said. “[The rescue efforts] A large amount of capital is definitely needed. Even though it was granted federal protection in 2003, the stakes are definitely high, with the fate of the entire species at stake, she argues.
Concerned citizens who would like to contribute to this effort can donate to sawfishrecovery.org, providing critical funding to strengthen rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Additionally, individuals can report sawfish sightings to her at Sawfish@MyFWC.com or call 844-472-9347 to help monitor and protect these endangered creatures.
