1. SAWFISH IN PERIL SAWFISH EDUCATION PROGRAM © Doug Perrine
Good morning / welcome
Purpose of Sawfish In Peril:
To educate students about sawfish basics, biology, conservation, and research
Organization of presentation:
“Sawfish In Peril” is produced by the Florida Program for Shark Research/Florida Museum of Natural History. The presentation is based on the “Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions” section of the Museum’s Ichthyology web site-
Overview of presentation:
This presentation is approximately 45 minutes in length and should be presented in a question/answer format as presented on the web page.
© Doug Perrine
SAWFISH EDUCATION PROGRAM

2. Sawfish In Peril Sawfish Basics Sawfish Biology Sawfish Conservation
Sawfish Research
© Doug Perrine
Use this time to ask the audience if they know what sawfishes are and anything they might know about these unique fish.
The presentation is presented in four sections:
Sawfish Basics
Sawfish Biology
Sawfish Conservation
Sawfish Research

3. SAWFISH BASICS
We will begin by learning the basic facts about sawfishes, then move on to sawfish biology, conservation, and ongoing research.
© Doug Perrine

4. What is a Sawfish? Sawfish belong to the family Pristidae
The common name sawfish refers to any member of the family Pristidae (the sawfishes). Despite their shark-like form and manner of swimming, they are rays (batoids). These large to huge-sized rays are characterized as having an elongate blade-like snout (rostrum or saw) that has laterally placed tooth-like denticles (rostral teeth) set into sockets. Sawfishes traditionally inhabited all coastal tropical and subtropical waters, including estuaries and river systems.
Sawfish belong to the family Pristidae
Sawfish are characterized as having an elongate blade-like snout (rostrum or saw) that has laterally placed tooth-like denticles (rostral teeth)

5. How many species of sawfishes are there?
© Doug Perrine
There are seven recognized species living worldwide today with some species that appear very similar to each other. However, this group of elasmobranchs is currently under taxonomic review, and the total number of species may decrease in the near future. The sawfishes are represented by the genera Pristis and Anoxypristis.
There are 6-7 species of sawfishes currently recognized by scientists
Scientists are currently reviewing the taxonomy of sawfishes, some species appear very similar to each other

6. How large can sawfishes grow?
© George Burgess
Sawfishes are among the largest rays living today. They commonly reach 16.4 feet (15.0 meters) in length, attaining a maximum length of 24 feet (7.3 meters).
They commonly reach 16.4 feet in length, attaining a maximum length of 24 feet

7. Do sawfishes live off the coast of the U.S.?
At one time, the smalltooth sawfish could be found along the southeast coast of the U.S., from New York south into the Gulf of Mexico. However, due to range reduction, the smalltooth sawfish now is only found off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. The other species of sawfish found in U.S. waters is the largetooth sawfish which historically was limited to the Gulf of Mexico.
The smalltooth sawfish is only found off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida
The largetooth sawfish is limited to the Gulf of Mexico

8. Why do sawfishes have that remarkable tooth-studded saw?
The rostrum, often referred to as the "saw", is used during feeding and for defense. The saw is slashed in a side-to-side motion to dislodge invertebrates from the substrate and to stun schooling fishes. In addition, the sawfish can use its saw in defense against large predators such as sharks.
© George Burgess
The rostral “saw” is used for feeding, slashing back and forth in the soft sediments in search of invertebrates and to stun schooling fishes
The “saw” is also used as defense against predators

9. Do sawfishes present a threat to humans?
Sawfishes are harmless to humans if left undisturbed. Humans are too large to be viewed as potential prey. Care must be taken when handling or approaching a sawfish of any size, as they may defend themselves when they feel threatened, using their rostrum to strike from side-to-side with considerable force.
Sawfishes are harmless to humans if left undisturbed
Care must be taken when handling sawfishes as they may defend themselves with the rostral “saw”

10. SAWFISH BIOLOGY © Don DeMaria Transition:
We will now learn more about the biology of sawfishes.
© Don DeMaria

11. Do sawfishes have bones?
U.S. Geological Survey
No, sawfishes and other fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes lack true bone, but rather have cartilaginous skeletons
Bony fishes (Class Osteichthyes) have true bones as do humans
No, sawfishes and all other fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes lack true bone, but rather have cartilaginous skeletons.
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue strong enough to give support (it is calcified but not ossified) but softer than true bone. Cartilage is found in the human ear and nose. Due to cartilage being softer than bone, it is very rare to find complete fossil remains of elasmobranchs.

12. How many fins do sawfishes have?
Pelvic Fins
Pectoral Fins
Dorsal Fins
Caudal Fin
They have pectoral fins (fused to the head/trunk), pelvic fins, two dorsal fins, and a caudal fin. Like the great majority of rays, sawfishes lack an anal fin. Sawfishes have both a first dorsal fin and a second dorsal fin of roughly equal sizes. As far as the caudal fin is concerned, one species has both lobes well-developed, two species (plus the nominal species, Pristis pristis) has well-developed upper lobe and only a moderately developed lower caudal lobe, and three species have only a well-developed upper caudal fin lobe.
They have two pectoral fins (fused to the head/trunk), two pelvic fins, two dorsal fins, and a caudal fin
Like the great majority of rays, sawfishes lack an anal fin

13. How long do sawfishes live?
It has been estimated that these animals live up to 25 to 30 years, reaching maturity at 10 years.
It has been estimated that these animals live up to 25 to 30 years, reaching maturity at 10 years

14. What do sawfishes eat?
© Doug Perrine
Sawfishes feed on small fishes and invertebrates that can be ingested whole through the mouth
They only feed on prey that can fit into their small mouths since they are unable to tear chunks off prey items with their toothy saw
Sawfishes feed on small fishes and invertebrates that can be ingested whole through the mouth. They only feed on prey that can fit into their small mouths since they are unable to tear chunks off prey items with their toothy saw.

15. Do sawfishes have any predators?
© Doug Perrine
Adult sawfishes have very few predators. Crocodiles, large sharks, and even marine mammals such as dolphins are known predators of juvenile sawfishes. A large piece of an adult sawfish saw was reported from the stomach contents of a large tiger shark.
Adult sawfishes have very few predators
Juvenile sawfishes are preyed upon by crocodiles, large sharks, and even marine mammals such as dolphins

16. Do sawfishes have teeth in their jaws?
© Mark Harris
Ten to twelve rows of teeth are located in jaws of the smalltooth sawfish. The upper and lower jaws have and teeth respectively. The teeth are rounded anteriorly and have a blunt cutting posterior edge.
© George Burgess
Ten to twelve rows of teeth are located in jaws of the smalltooth sawfish
The teeth are rounded anteriorly and have a blunt cutting posterior edge

17. Do sawfishes lay eggs or give live birth to young?
PHOTO OF SAWFISH EMBRYO FROM COLLECTION
Sawfishes are "ovoviviparous", meaning that young sawfishes grow from eggs retained within the mother. After the embryos are fully developed, the mother sawfish gives live birth with an average litter size of about 8 pups.
Sawfishes are "ovoviviparous", meaning that young sawfishes grow from eggs retained within the mother
After the embryos are fully developed, the mother sawfish gives live birth with an average litter size of about 8 pups

18. SAWFISH CONSERVATION Transition:
Sawfishes are a part of our natural biodiversity and the ecological balance of aquatic habitats. Since we should protect and conserve this balance, we have included a section on the conservation of sawfish with a focus on sawfishes in the U.S. This is especially important since the smalltooth sawfish has recently been listed as “Endangered” and as such, is protected under the Endangered Species Act.

19. Are sawfishes listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S.?
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species categorizes all sawfishes as endangered worldwide. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), in addition to the IUCN Red List designation, is listed under the US Endangered Species Act as an endangered species. The largetooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti), while not included under the ESA listing, is still considered a candidate species for future listing.
On April 1, 2003 the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service placed the smalltooth sawfish on the Endangered Species List, making it the first marine fish species to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act

20. What are some threats to sawfishes?
U.S. Geological Survey
Threats to sawfishes included both human-induced and natural causes of injury or mortality.
Human-induced threats include the reduction of coastal habitat through human modifications (i.e., construction of dams, dredge and fill practices, coastal armoring), pollution-related injuries and death, and especially captures of sawfishes as bycatch and in targeted fisheries for their meat, liver oil, fins, skin (leather), and rostra. Natural threats to sawfishes are poorly known, but include predation by sharks and other large predators, and mortality attributable to red tide (including the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis).
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris
Indirect take as by-catch in other directed fisheries
Loss of habitat, coastal development and marine pollution
Use of saws as curios and the fins for soup

21. What should you do if you encounter a sawfish in its natural habitat?
Sawfish are listed under the Endangered Species Act which makes it illegal to harm, harass, or handle them in any way. If you do see a sawfish, enjoy the moment and feel extremely lucky!
It is illegal to hook or net one, except with a permit or in a permitted fishery. Accidental captures do occur while fishing for other species; if a sawfish is hooked or netted, it should be released immediately. Remove as much fishing gear as safely possible - DO NOT REMOVE THE SAW.
© Doug Perrine
Sawfish are listed under the Endangered Species Act which makes it illegal to harm, harass, or handle them in any way
If you do see a sawfish, enjoy the moment and feel extremely lucky!

22. Are sawfishes ever accidentally caught?
© Doug Perrine
Sawfish are sometimes caught by accident on fishing hooks or tangled in nets. Special care must be taken to safely release the sawfish to ensure its survival. The teeth on the rostral saw easily become entangled in the mesh of nets and in monofilament line.
Sawfish are sometimes accidentally caught on fishing hooks and in fishing nets
If a sawfish is accidentally caught, it should be released immediately to ensure its survival

23. Is it difficult to safely release a captured sawfish?
Sawfish are sometimes accidentally caught on fishing lines and in fishing nets
Guidelines are available on what to do if a sawfish is hooked or if a sawfish is tangled in a net
Encounters should be reported to assist with ongoing scientific research
If hooked:
* Keep the sawfish in the water at all times
* If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped around the saw and remove as much of the line as possible.
* Cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
* Do not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the saw unless you have a long-handled dehooker.
If tangled in a net:
* Make every effort to free the animal from the net with minimal additional stress or injury.
* Keep sawfish, especially the gills, in the water as much as possible.
* Try to remove all the netting and release the animal quickly.
* DO NOT REMOVE THE SAW!

24. Did fishermen catch sawfishes prior to their protection in the U.S.?
Historically, sawfishes were often taken as trophies, including some very large specimens. This had a detrimental effect on the population of sawfishes off the U.S. coast because many were large sawfishes that had reached reproductive maturity.
Sawfish were often caught by fishermen who would sometimes eat the flesh and keep the trophy “saw”
Very large sawfishes were often captured in past decades

25. SAWFISH RESEARCH Transition:
There is much to be learned still regarding all species of sawfishes. The only species that has been well studied thus-far is the largetooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti) in other areas of the world.

26. What do scientists still need to learn about sawfish?
Scientists are researching age and growth, reproduction, movement patterns, and habitat use of the smalltooth sawfish to assist in management and recovery of this endangered species.
Science knows more about the age and growth, reproduction, and movements of this one species that all the other species of sawfishes combined, thanks to the efforts of the now-deceased ichthyologist Thomas Thorson, who conducted extensive studies on this species in Nicaragua. Only the freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) has had research efforts approaching this level and there is still much to be learned about this species. Scientists in the US are particularly interested in learned more about the age and growth, reproduction, movement patterns, and habitat utilization of the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), because an endangered species requires managed recovery of its population.

27. What is the Sawfish Recovery Team?
The Endangered Species Act requires that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of listed species. Such plans are to include: (1) a description of site-specific management actions necessary to conserve the species or populations; (2) objective, measurable criteria which, when met, will allow the species or populations to be removed from the endangered and threatened species list; and (3) estimates of the time and funding required to achieve the plan’s goals and intermediate steps.
NOAA Fisheries has assembled a Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Team comprising researchers, managers and representatives from constituent groups to develop a recovery plan for the U.S. population of smalltooth sawfish. The team has met every few months since its first meeting in November 2003, and has made significant progress on developing a draft recovery plan. The draft plan is completed and now will undergo a peer review by outside experts. It then will be made available for public review and comment before being enacted.
This team consists of researchers, managers, and representatives from constituent groups working to develop a recovery plan for the smalltooth sawfish

28. What are some good resources to learn more about sawfishes?
The below web sites are excellent resources to learn more about sawfishes:
(see handouts for web addresses and books/articles)
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Smalltooth Sawfish bioprofile
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Largetooth Sawfish bioprofile
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Green Sawfish bioprofile
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Freshwater Sawfish bioprofile
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Dwarf Sawfish bioprofile
* Florida Museum of Natural History: Knifetooth Sawfish bioprofile
* NOAA Fisheries: National Marine Fisheries Service
* National Marine Fisheries Service - Smalltooth Sawfish
* NMFS Sawfish Recovery Team
* FloridaSawfish.com
* Sawfish: Sharks with Swords
* Mote Marine Laboratory's Sawfish Conservation Research
* Ocean Conservancy - Sawfish
* Iowa State University - Sawfish Research Project
There are some good web sites to learn more about sawfishes
You can also read more about sawfishes in scientific journals and books

29. Questions/Answers?