Video Provides Guidelines for Interactions with Endangered Sawfish in the United States

The U.S. Smalltooth Sawfish

Recovery team has released a video titled “RESPECTRELEASE - REPORT: Guidelines for Interactions with Endangered Sawfish in the United States” to provide anglers, divers, and boaters with information about what to do if they catch or see an endangered sawfish.

Sawfish were once found in coastal waters of the United States from Texas to North Carolina. But decades of mortality in fisheries and the loss of important nursery habitats led to dramatic reductions in both their numbers and range. Now they are generally only found in Florida and most commonly in southwest Florida from Charlotte Harbor through Everglades National Park. Sawfish are federally protected as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and need your help to survive and avoid extinction. The guidelines in the video will teach you how to Respect, Release, and Report any sawfish you catch while fishing or encounter while diving, snorkeling, or boating.