First U.S. Marine Fish Proposed As Endangered

The Ocean Conservancy
Monday, 16 April 2001

Conservationists Applaud Federal Proposal to Protect Sawfish under Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) praised today's announcement that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to list and protect the United States population of smalltooth sawfish (close relatives of sharks) as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the first such proposal for a marine fish found in U.S. waters. A 1999 CMC petition initiated formal consideration of the action. Based on a scientific review, NMFS' concluded that the once-plentiful, coastal species is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range" due to a combination of factors including incidental take by fishermen and habitat degradation.

"Sawfish are among the most endangered and yet under-protected fish in the world," said Sonja Fordham, CMC Fisheries Project Manager. "In the U.S., the Endangered Species Act can provide the recognition and impetus for conservation crucial to saving this unique animal from extinction. NMFS' responsible decision represents a significant step towards gaining that protection while sending an important warning to the public and other governments that marine fish can indeed be seriously threatened by human activities."

Like the closely-related sharks, skates and rays, sawfish grow slowly, mature late, and produce few young. This group of fish is therefore exceptionally vulnerable to overexploitation; their populations can be rapidly depleted and often require many decades to recover. Once ranging from the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico to North Carolina, and seasonally as far as New York, smalltooth sawfish are now believed to remain only in a few protected areas in the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park. Some scientists estimate the original U.S. population has declined by as much as 99%. State rules are inadequate to stem declines and there are no federal regulations to protect sawfish.

Due to their tooth-studded, blade-like snouts, sawfish are also especially vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear; indirect take (or "bycatch") in fisheries has played a large role in their decline. Although not a primary factor, degradation of the sawfish's nearshore and estuarine habitat has also contributed to their decline. Coastal development and pollution are considered threats to the long-term survival of the species.

Sawfish are in serious trouble around the world; all species are listed on the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Animals as either "Endangered" or "Critically Endangered." This grave status prompted the U.S. to call for an international ban on sawfish trade at the 1997 meeting of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting. The U.S. sawfish proposal was, however, unsuccessful.

"In 1997, the U.S. called on the rest of the world to acknowledge the plight of the sawfish and take strong action to save them," said Fordham. "Today, they have at last heeded their own warnings by proposing to provide this species of sawfish with our nation's strongest protection. Prompt finalization of this action is key to preventing extinction of this exceptional animal and to encouraging other countries to do the same."

In 1999, CMC petitioned the Secretary of Commerce to list as "endangered" the two types of sawfish found in U.S. waters: smalltooth and largetooth. While NMFS decided not to propose listing of largetooth sawfish, remaining individuals of that species would benefit from protection and awareness generated by listing smalltooth sawfish. Today's announcement begins a public comment and review process; a final decision is due within a year. Listing would prompt development of a recovery plan and designation of critical habitat for the species.

For more information, or to contact The Ocean Conservancy, see their website at: www.oceanconservancy.org