1. BMRG Coastal Forum 19 th April 2008 Green Sawfish Recovery Plan Project Dr Ashley Bunce Centre for Environmental Management Central Queensland University

2. Sawfish Sawfish are modified rays which have shark like bodies Distinguished by a flattened head and a narrow blade-like snout armed with 24-28 pairs of lateral teeth Also similar to and often confused with sawsharks (distinguished by presence of gills on the underside of head)

3. Australian Sawfish Species There are 4 known sawfish species in Australian Waters There are 4 known sawfish species in Australian Waters – Narrow sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) – Freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) – Green sawfish (Pristis Zijsron) – Dwarf sawfish (Pristis clavata) These species occupy niches in marine estuarine These species occupy niches in marine estuarine and freshwater environments and freshwater environments

5. Green Sawfish Taxonomy Order - Pristiformes Family - Pristidae Genus - Pristis Species - zijsron Conservation Status IUCN Red List - Critically endangered; EPBC – vulnerable; QLD – ‘Back on Track’ priority species; NSW – critically endangered; NT Fisheries - vulnerable

6. Distribution and Habitat Very low numbers in waters of southern and central QLD More common in nth region (including the Gulf of Carpentaria) Live on muddy or sandy-mud soft bottom habitats Inhabit coastal foreshores and bays mostly as juveniles Inhabit marine waters to a depth greater than 40m as adults Adults known to seasonally frequent inshore waters and rivers during monsoonal months to pup

7. Description Large slender body Large slender body Olive brown-green dorsally and pale white ventrally Olive brown-green dorsally and pale white ventrally Rostrum does not narrow at tip Rostrum does not narrow at tipDescriptors 24-28 pair of teeth 24-28 pair of teeth Teeth are moreclosely spaced at tip and extend onto base of saw Teeth are moreclosely spaced at tip and extend onto base of saw No fork in caudal fin No fork in caudal fin 1st dorsal fin begins behind pelvic fin origin 1st dorsal fin begins behind pelvic fin origin Rough skin Rough skinSize Maximum reported size 730cm Maximum reported size 730cmDiet Prawns and fish Prawns and fish

8. Biology Long-lived (25-30 years) Long-lived (25-30 years) Gestation period (fertilisation to birth time) is approx. 5 months Gestation period (fertilisation to birth time) is approx. 5 months Average of 8 pups are born at around 65-90cm Average of 8 pups are born at around 65-90cm Pups born with a toothed rostrum which is covered by a enclosed membrane designed to protect mother from teeth Pups born with a toothed rostrum which is covered by a enclosed membrane designed to protect mother from teeth

9. Behaviour Sawfish are nocturnal Sawfish are nocturnal – Sleep in the day – Hunt at night Sawfish are top order predators Sawfish are top order predators Actively seek out prey items such as fish and crustaceans Actively seek out prey items such as fish and crustaceans Use rostrum for feeding by Use rostrum for feeding by Stunning slow moving schooling fish with slashing motion Stunning slow moving schooling fish with slashing motion Locating and dislodging prey buried in sand or mud Locating and dislodging prey buried in sand or mud Locate buried prey by using sensors on rostrum Locate buried prey by using sensors on rostrum Will also eat dead prey and strike at lures Will also eat dead prey and strike at lures

10. Saw fish are threatened throughout the world Saw fish are threatened throughout the world All Australian species are on the IUCN Redlist of threatened species as critically endangered All Australian species are on the IUCN Redlist of threatened species as critically endangered Because they prefer an inshore benthic habitat for breeding, the juveniles are vulnerable to human interference Because they prefer an inshore benthic habitat for breeding, the juveniles are vulnerable to human interference They are also known to They are also known to actively seek out dead baits or strike at lures making them vulnerable to recreational fishing Threats to Sawfish Conservation Status IUCN Red List - Critically endangered; EPBC – vulnerable; QLD – ‘Back on Track’ priority species; NSW – critically endangered; NT Fisheries - vulnerable

11. Major threats include – Accidental capture/Entanglement in fishing nets – Illegal fishing for fins or rostrums – Habitat degradation through coastal development Threats to Sawfish

12. Entanglement in fishing nets Entanglement may occur in – Trawling nets – Inshore net fishery – Recreational fishing (line and small mesh cast and seine nets) Sawfish are vulnerable to entanglement as the rostrum is easily entangled in nets and fishing line The sawfish thrashes around to get free causing further tangling When unable to swim the sawfish is unable to move water over gills and may drown

13. Illegal Fishing Sawfish are hunted for their Sawfish are hunted for their – Rostrums – Fins – Flesh – Other body parts These are sold for food and use in traditional Asian medicines These are sold for food and use in traditional Asian medicines Rostrums are sold as valuable souvenirs, trophies or curios Rostrums are sold as valuable souvenirs, trophies or curios Sawfish may also be collected as live specimens for aquariums Sawfish may also be collected as live specimens for aquariums

14. Habitat degradation through coastal development Building of weirs and barrages can restrict movement of sawfish in rivers Building of weirs and barrages can restrict movement of sawfish in rivers Other problems include increased pollution from: Other problems include increased pollution from: – Use of fertilisers - increased nutrient runoff – Use of pesticides - reduced health and death of organisms Loss of soft bottom feeding and breeding habitats through coastal urban/industrial development

15. Green Sawfish Recovery Plan Objectives - Background on species and ecology Distribution and location Known and potential threats Recovery Actions Other - Achieving multi-species outcomes that apply to estuarine stingray which occupy the same habitat

16. Distribution and location Once common along the east coast of Australia, and found as far south as Jervis Bay, is now rarely found south of Cairns Estuaries along east coast of central QLD almost certainly provided suitable habitat in the past No museum records from central QLD, last records from east coast from Moreton Bay in 1970s Spotted any Sawfish? Unconfirmed reports of sightings in the region as recently as 2004 Possible breeding area located near the mouth of the Fitzroy River

17. For further information contact: Dr Ashley Bunce Centre for Environmental Management Central Queensland University Tel: 07 4970 7285 E-mail: a.bunce@cqu.edu.au Supported by: