Critical Habitat Proposed For Smalltooth Sawfish In Ten Thousand Islands, Charlotte Harbor

December 22, 2008

Release from: Naples Daily News

NAPLES — The federal government is seeking comments until Jan. 20 on a proposal to designate critical habitat in the Ten Thousand Islands and Charlotte Harbor for the endangered smalltooth sawfish.

In 2003, the creature with the saw-like bill became the first marine fish to be listed as an endangered species. Once ranging from New Jersey to Central America, the smalltooth sawfish population has declined 95 percent.

Southwest Florida is the last stronghold for the odd-looking creatures that share a branch of the animal kingdom tree with sharks and rays.

The designation of critical habitat is meant to inform local communities about protecting sawfish habitat and requires the federal government to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service when government actions, such as permits for docks or weirs, affect sawfish habitat.

According to the proposal published in the Nov. 20 Federal Register, the National Marine Fisheries Services does not predict an increase in consultations, which already occur because of the sawfish's endangered status.

The proposal is the product of a settlement of a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, based in San Francisco, that charged the Bush administration was dragging its feet on the designation.

Under the proposal, 221,000 acres along the coast between Marco Island and Florida Bay and 619,000 acres in the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos and Estero bays, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound would be designated critical habitat.

Another denizen of Southwest Florida waters could be getting new critical habitat designations.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the Wildlife Advocacy Project, Save the Manatee Club and Defenders of Wildlife have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revise the critical habitat designation for the endangered Florida manatee to reflect new science since the original designation made more than 30 years ago, the groups say.