Sawfish

Saving the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata

LOCATION: Andros Island, The Bahamas

Overview

The Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata) is among the world's most threatened marine fishes and is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, despite its perilous status throughout the globe there are positive signs of a viable population of smalltooth sawfish in Andros Island, The Bahamas. Over the past decade sawfish of all life stages have been recorded, with some individuals tracked via satellite and acoustic telemetry, revealing the importance of northwest Andros as both nursery and breeding habitat for the species. However, despite these critical research efforts (including members of our team) little to no data is available on sawfish distribution and abundance outside of this region of the island. Our team will build on this core research delineating essential sawfish habitats throughout Andros Island, by using in-situ field methods (e.g. eDNA, drone, BRUV) alongside interviews with water users, stakeholders and the general public. We will develop this local connection further by hosting workshops, experiential days and school visits inspiring and empowering Androsians to become conservation stewards. This may prove critical to recovery of the species globally, especially given increased coastal development throughout the Bahamas that includes mangroves removals, which may threaten sawfish nursery areas that are yet to be discovered.

Conservation concern

Sawfish (family Pristidae) are among the world’s most threatened marine fishes. They are a small group of batoids (rays) usually occurring in shallow, coastal habitats in tropical and subtropical waters including estuarine and freshwater habitats. All five species face a very high risk of global extinction based on severe declines in their numbers and geographical distribution over the past century. This perilous status is due to commercial and recreational fishing mortality, primarily as by-catch, combined with the loss of critical near-shore habitat due to coastal development and low reproductive potential, making the species vulnerable to anthropogenic effects. Most notably among Pristidae, the smalltooth sawfish is potentially at greatest risk because it has the smallest and most fragmented remaining geographic range with contraction of ~80%. Conservation actions are currently limited by lack of data in most regions necessitating further studies and international collaboration for their sustainable management.

Research Questions

• Identify temporal, spatial, and historic variability in sawfish distribution and abundance patterns in Andros.

• Is the population mainly focused on the west side of northern Andros or are there other areas within Andros that are important habitats for certain life stages e.g. nursery grounds or breeding sites?

Community Outreach

Provide local stakeholders that frequently access local marine resources (e.g. fishers and fishing guides) with information on the important role sawfish play in Bahamian ecosystems, and how stakeholders can improve conservation through daily, routine practices.

Inspire and inform local students and instructors how to protect and improve the quality of their coastal ecosystems in order to sustain and improve habitats and resources for sawfish conservation.

Funding And Donors

• The Dashlight Foundation

• Save our Seas Foundation

• Atlantis Blue Project Foundation

• Saving the Blue,. You can support this project by donating via the link found at the bottom of this page, or CLICK HERE