epic tiger shark diving expeditions
  • Home
  • Shark Diving
    • Tiger Beach Bahamas
    • Oceanic Whitetip
    • Great Hammerhead
    • M/V Thresher
  • FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Know Before You Go
  • Blog
    • Bahamas Shark Diving
    • Shark Species
    • Photography
    • Conservation
    • Community
    • Shark Diving Reports
  • About
  • Contact

Smalltooth Sawfish

Endangered Ocean

Endangered Oceans: Smalltooth Sawfish

Jun 23 2016
0 Comment
Epic
conservation, NOAA, sawfish

The smalltooth sawfish is one of the most unique shark species found in warm tropical waters. It has been on the endangered species list since 2003 because of drastic reductions in their population. Unlike other shark populations decimated by the shark finning industry, this species is threatened primarily through habitat destruction and bycatch.

Here’s a video put together by NOAA:

Video Transcript

Sawfish are large shark-like rays that are found in tropical and subtropical seas, rivers, and creeks, and can grow to 15 feet.

It gets its name from its long, saw-like nose called a rostrum which is lined with modified scales that look like teeth, 22-29 on each side.

It uses its “saw” packed with electro-sensitive organs and teeth to locate, stun, and kill prey.

And although it’s been around for over 50 million years, it is now endangered.

Two major threats exist for this species: bycatch in various fisheries, and loss of juvenile habitat.

Its toothed rostrum can easily become entangled in fishing lines and nets.

Young sawfish use shallow habitats that are lined with mangrove forests, as important nursery areas. Many such habitats have been displaced by concrete seawalls  or lost entirely due to development of the waterfront.

The smalltooth sawfish was listed as endangered in 2003.  NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has worked to develop and implement a recovery plan for the species.  The major steps for recovery include: reducing bycatch in fisheries, protecting important habitats, and educating the public.

Guidelines were also developed for fishermen to safely handle and release any sawfish they might catch.

Today, NOAA Fisheries continues to study this species. Through this research, they hope to help develop the next steps in conservation and management that will save this endangered species. You can help bring them back from the brink of extinction by protecting shoreline habitats and reporting sawfish sightings or encounters to the International Sawfish Encounter Database.

smalltooth sawfish shark research

Image ID: fish1952, NOAA’s Fisheries Collection
Location: Atlantic Ocean

Check out Ocean Today by NOAA for more great information.

Social Share

  • google-share

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

Popular Posts

bahamas tiger beach shark diving

Day Trips to Tiger Beach Bahamas: Shark Diving Experience

90 Comments
tiger beach day trips

Tiger Beach Day Trips: Shark Diving in the Bahamas

39 Comments
shark senses ampullae of lorenzeni

Shark Senses - How Do Sharks Hunt Their Prey?

23 Comments

Recent Posts

  • Featured Filmmaker: OceanShutter
  • Shark Feeding Controversy
  • International Shark Attack File: 2021 Summary
  • Shark Feeding Ban Proposed for Florida Keys
  • Hammerhead Shark Evolution

Newsletter Sign-up

Slide Get started on your life-changing adventure today. Join Epic Diving for the best Bahamas Shark Diving. Visit the world-famous Tiger Beach Bahamas, dive with Great Hammerhead sharks, or drift in the blue with Oceanic Whitetips! Contact US TIGER BEACH Oceanic Whitetips Great Hammerheads epic tiger shark diving expeditions © EPIC DIVING 2023 Privacy Policy Terms of Use