A Rare Fish - The Sawfish

June 23, 2007

Release from: WJHG News (Panama City, Florida)

They haven't been seen in this area in decades. But some new conservation measures may bring back a species of fish, the Sawfish that used to be plentiful in these parts.

James Bullington looks at a picture of a Sawfish caught in the St. Andrews Bay during the 1940s. It is one of the last documented Sawfish sightings in northwest Florida.

"That’s what they used to do for fun. Now it seems like you really don’t see them anymore."

The reason Bullington has never seen a Sawfish in the area is because they are endangered and sightings worldwide have decreased dramatically over time.

Dr. John Carlson just got back from the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It’s a convention where delegates from 171 countries approved a bid to end the Sawfish trade.

"Back in the early 1900s, Sawfish could be caught as far north as New Jersey all the way out through the Gulf of Mexico."

As researchers went through time, they noticed there were fewer Sawfish being sighted. And today, recent documented U-S sightings are isolated to Florida. There reportedly was one undocumented sighting off Apalachicola just last year.

Scientists realized even though Sawfish are protected, they are still disappearing. But James Bullington still wishes to see one in the Gulf.

"I’m 35 and I fish a lot and I’ve never see any. This picture is the closet I’ve got."

And thanks to the new trade restrictions, he just may be a little closer.