Sawfish Fact Sheet

The Endangered Smalltooth
Sawfish (Pristis pectinata)

Southeast
Regional Office
Endangered Species Act
Listing
NOAA Fisheries listed the U.S. distinct
population segment of smalltooth
sawfish as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) on
April 1, 2003.
The endangered status was reached
because the population was at risk of
extinction due to its limited size and
the effects of ongoing threats.

Critical Habitat Designation
NOAA Fisheries designated critical
habitat for smalltooth sawfish on
September 2, 2009.

What is a sawfish?
Like sharks and rays, sawfish are elasmobranchs with a skeleton made of cartilage instead
of bone. Although their bodies appear shark-like, sawfish are rays as their mouths and gills
are located on the bottom of their bodies. Sawfish are named for their saw-like snouts
(rostra) that are used for feeding and defense. The size and number of teeth on the rostrum
varies by species. There are 5 species of sawfishes worldwide but only the smalltooth
sawfish is currently found in U.S. waters. The smalltooth sawfish is distinguished by the 22
to 29 teeth located on each side of the rostrum and the lack of a bottom lobe on the caudal
(tail) fin.

The Decline of Smalltooth Sawfish in the U.S.:
Smalltooth sawfish were historically found in coastal waters from Texas to New York but the
species is now only found with any regularity in Florida. Researchers believe the decline in
this population was the result of overfishing (bycatch mortality), habitat loss, and the
prolonged rate of reproduction for this species. While there are no conclusive population
estimates, it is believed that the population is currently only a small fraction of its historic
size. The last remaining stronghold for the population is found between Charlotte Harbor
and the Florida Keys, including Everglades National Park.

Biology:
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Mothers give live birth every other year
Gestation period ~ 12 months
Brood size ~ 7-14 young
Size at birth ~ 2 feet
Size at maturity ~ 11 feet for males, ~ 12 feet for females
Age at maturity ~ 7-11 years
Maximum size ~ 16 feet
Maximum age – unknown (likely several decades)
Diet – mostly fish but also crustaceans (shrimp and crabs)

Red mangroves are essential for juvenile
smalltooth sawfish survival.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Fisheries | The Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata)

Role of NOAA Fisheries in
Conservation and Recovery
Recovery Planning
NOAA formed a multi-agency team
which developed and now implements
a recovery plan. The plan serves as a
guide for sawfish recovery by
prioritizing research and framing
management decisions.
Collaboration with Federal
Agencies
The ESA instructs federal agencies to
use their authorities to promote
conservation and requires them to
assess whether any action they
authorize, fund, or carry out has the
potential to affect protected species.
If any project has the potential to
affect smalltooth sawfish or its critical
habitat, federal agencies must consult
with NOAA. Through this
collaborative process, NOAA works to
reduce or eliminate negative effects to
smalltooth sawfish.
Outreach and Education
NOAA and its partners are engaged in
ongoing efforts to minimize injury and
mortality of sawfish from human
interaction. These efforts include
working with the commercial fishing
industry and raising awareness in the
recreational fishing community.
NOAA has developed a variety of
outreach products encouraging safe
handling and quick release of caught
sawfish, and reporting of any sawfish
catches or sightings.
Research
NOAA supports and participates in a
number of research projects. These
projects provide vital information on
habitat needs, population abundance,
and the response of sawfish to
recovery actions. Data collected from
these projects are used to monitor the
status of the population and make
management and recovery decisions.

Habitat:
Smalltooth sawfish use different habitats at different times of life. Juveniles use shallow
estuarine waters typically fringed with red mangroves. The shallow depths (<3 ft) and
structure of the red mangrove prop roots provide refuge from larger predators and an
abundant source of prey. The smallest sawfish are restricted to these shallow water
habitats but as they increase in size they travel farther and into deeper waters. Adults
can be found in coastal environments outside of the estuaries to depths of 600 feet.
Critical Habitat
In 2009, NOAA Fisheries designated critical habitat to
facilitate the recruitment of juveniles into the adult
population. There are 2 designated units of critical habitat,
Charlotte Harbor Estuary Unit and the Ten Thousand
Islands/Everglades Unit. The 2 habitat features that are
essential to the conservation of the species are red
mangrove shorelines and shallow, euryhaline (wide-ranging
salinity) waters characterized by depths less than 3 feet
measured at mean lower low water.

Ongoing Threats to Smalltooth Sawfish:
There are several threats that continue to impact the U.S. population of smalltooth
sawfish. The most notable threats are habitat loss associated with coastal development
and bycatch mortality in various fisheries. These threats combined with the species’
generally prolonged life history strategy will extend the period of time needed to recover
this population.

How Can You Help?
If you see a sawfish:
• Report sightings to 1-844-4SAWFISH
If you catch a sawfish:
• Keep it in the water – DO NOT bring it aboard or drag it ashore
• DO NOT use gaffs or ropes to secure
• Cut the line as close to the hook as is safely possible
• Report your catch for science to 1-844-4SAWFISH
• Sawfish are protected by federal and state law
 DO NOT try handling sawfish as this could result in injury
 DO NOT remove sawfish from the water or attempt to drag ashore
 DO NOT remove the rostrum as this leads to death
If you see unlawful sawfish harvest or handling:
• Report to 1-844-4SAWFISH or to law enforcement at 1-800-853-1964

For More Information about Sawfish Conservation:
Visit: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/sawfish/
Contact: Adam Brame, Sawfish Recovery Coordinator at: adam.brame@noaa.gov

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service