Sawfish Encounters

Sawfish are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, which makes it illegal to harm, harass, hook, or net sawfish in any way, except with a permit or in a permitted fishery.

However, accidental captures do occur while fishing for other species. For your safety and the safety of the sawfish, use caution if you do hook or net a sawfish. They are large powerful animals that can cause serious injury. Below are some advice for the safe release of sawfish.



SAWFISH SAFE RELEASE GUIDELINES

If hooked:

* Keep sawfish in the water at all times.

* If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped around the saw and remove as much of the line as possible.

* Cut line as close to the hook as possible.

* Do not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the saw unless you have a long-handled de-hooker.


If tangled in a net:

* Make every effort to free the animal from the net with minimal additional stress or injury.

* Keep sawfish, especially the gills, in the water as much as possible.

* Try to remove all netting and release the animal quickly.

DO NOT REMOVE THE SAW!



ECOLOGICAL ADVICE

Here are some guidelines that can make a huge difference for the sawfish conservation and other sea animals as well:

* Never throw fishing lines to the ocean. They can get entangled in the sawfish rostrum, sea turtles, etc… causing a great impact in the animal's life leading even to its death.

* Choose circle hooks over j-hooks. The using of circle hooks minimizes internal injuries during the catch process and, as a result, greatly enhances the fish post-release survival rate.



REPORTING PROCEDURES

Why Report sawfish encounters?

Sawfish are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Populations of this species are in decline, making all information about this species invaluable.

Therefore, sawfish sighting reports are a very important tool for the monitoring of the population. They assist in the evaluation of the species abundance and habitat range, helping us not only to estimate the population size but also to identify their habitat preferences. As a result, the sawfish sighting reports are vital for the success of the "Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Plan" .

What information to report?

Your report can greatly help conservation efforts by providing the following information:

* Your name, phone number, and e-mail address.

* Date, time and location of the encounter.

* Number, size and behavior of the sawfish.

* Your activity at time of encounter (fishing, boating, diving, shore walking, etc…).

* Information on any tags, scars, or distinguishing marks.

* No records are too old; historic information is useful. Old pictures, newspapers, magazines, books or historic reports are welcome!

Where should I report a sawfish encounter?

The National Sawfish Encounter Database has moved from Mote Marine Laboratory to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, therefore, the FPSR will be handling all future sawfish encounter reports.

You can report you sawfish information in four different ways:

* Via our interactive online form

* By phone: George H. Burgess, Joana Fernandez de Carvalho
Tel: (352) 392-2360 Cell: (352) 871-8230

* By e-mail: download our Sawfish Encounter Reporting Form, fill in the form and send it to sawfish@flmnh.ufl.edu

* By post-mail: download our Sawfish Encounter Reporting Form, fill in the form and send it to:

Joana Fernandez de Carvalho
National Sawfish Encounter Database
Florida Program for Shark Research
Florida Museum of Natural History
Dickinson Hall Museum Road
PO Box 117800
Gainesville FL 32611-7800

Thank you for your contribution!