In Florida waters, endangered smalltooth sawfish are exhibiting erratic spinning behavior and dying in unusual numbers. Federal and state wildlife agencies are launching an unprecedented effort to rescue and rehabilitate sawfish to investigate the cause of these unusual deaths. Sawfish, with their elongated, flat snout containing rows of teeth, can live for decades and grow up to 16 feet in length. Once found along the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic coasts, they are now mainly concentrated in southwestern Florida and the Keys, with a related species found off Australia.
Since late January, an “unusual mortality event” has affected around 109 sawfish, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 individuals. Reports of abnormal behaviors, such as spinning or whirling in the water, have raised concerns among wildlife officials. Despite conducting necropsies on the deceased sawfish, the cause of these deaths remains unknown. Water testing is ongoing, and authorities are exploring potential links to climate change and other environmental factors that may be impacting the sawfish population.
The wildlife agencies are collaborating with three organizations to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of sawfish. One of these organizations, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, is prepared to provide quarantine facilities and specialized care for rescued sawfish. The declining population of sawfish, listed as endangered since 2003, underscores the urgency of solving this mystery to prevent further fatalities. Public cooperation in reporting sightings of distressed sawfish is crucial to the success of this rescue effort, with NOAA and FWC providing contact information for such reports.
The sawfish rescue and rehabilitation effort depends on tips and sightings from the public to locate distressed or deceased individuals. Authorities have established a tipline and email for reporting such information, emphasizing the importance of community participation in the conservation of endangered species. Past efforts to rescue threatened manatees in Florida, which experienced a major die-off due to pollution impacting their seagrass food source, have shown progress with a reduction in manatee deaths recorded. By engaging the public and collaborating with multiple organizations, wildlife agencies hope to gain valuable insights and address the threats facing the sawfish population in Florida waters.
