International Sawfish Day | Characteristics | Species | Conservation | Rostrum
October 17 is International Sawfish Day. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about Sawfish Conservation and the threats they face. Saw Fish is one of the world’s most endangered marine species. This day highlights the importance of preserving its populations and their habitats. Moreover, there are five species of this fish. These species include Green saw fish, dwarf saw fish, large tooth saw fish, Small mouth Saw fish, and narrow saw fish. Furthermore, the characteristics of Sawfish are unique including Sawfish rostrum which has a link with sawfish conservation.
History of International Sawfish Day
International Sawfish Day was established in 2017. It was established by the Sawfish Conservation Society (SCS) and collaborating partners such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). Research and conservation organizations were also involved in creating ISD. ISD was created to raise awareness about critically endangered species of Sawfish. It also promotes efforts to protect and restore their populations.
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Characteristics of Sawfish – Ray or Shark
Sawfishes belong to the family Pristidae. They belong to a large group of rays and Sharks known as elasmobranches. These are cartilaginous fish and have no bones. They have flattened body, similar to rays, which helps them glide along the seafloor. However, they have a body shape that looks more similar to a shark, but they are a type of ray. The most unique characteristics of Sawfish are their long flattened snout, lined with sharp tooth-like structures on either side, resembling a saw. This structure is called a rostrum. This Sawfish Rostrum has unique importance.
They have relatively small eyes located on the top of their flattened head. Therefore, they can see even when they are partly buried in mud. Their mouth and nostrils are placed on the underside of the head.
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They have spiracles located just behind the eyes. They use their spiracles for their breathing process, particularly when resting on the ocean floor. Moreover, they have large, wing-like pectoral fins that are fused to their head, allowing them to move easily in shallow waters.
They have two prominent dorsal fins located on their backs. These fins play an important role in their swimming and stability. Sawfish have paired fins located on the underside of their body, near the base of the tail. These fins play an important role in movement and balance.
Sawfish Rostrum
Saw fish also get their name because of this rostrum or saw. This is among the unique characteristics of sawfish. Actually, the sawfish rostrum is an extension of the skull made of cartilage and covered in skin. The rostrum is used for detecting prey through electroreception. They also use rostrum for stunning prey such as small fish and crustaceans. In addition, they use their rostrum in defense against large predators such as sharks and crocodiles.
The rostrum teeth are not teeth but made of modified scales. The number of pairs of teeth varies depending on the species. These teeth can range from 14 to 37 on each side of the rostrum.
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Distribution and Habitat of Sawfish
Sawfish are distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Historically, they had a much wider range, but their populations have declined significantly due to overfishing, habitat loss, and bycatch. They ranged in the East Atlantic from Morocco to South Africa, and in the West Atlantic from New York to Uruguay, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, their current distribution is found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indo-Pacific region, including waters around Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Red Sea. They also found in fresh waters like river and lakes.
Primarily Sawfish are found in shallow coastal marine and estuarine brackish waters, and mangroves, but some are found in fresh waters. However, their habitats are under threat from human activities like coastal development, and pollution.
Sawfish Conservation and International Sawfish Day
Sawfish are nearly extinct due to many threats. These threats include habitat loss, illegal trade of Sawfish rostrum or saw, and pollution. Therefore, their populations have declined drastically. Moreover, all species of saw fish are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As well as all species are also listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits the international trade of sawfish body parts like Sawfish rostrum.
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They are protected in many countries, including the USA, Australia, India, Qatar, Bahrain, and Brazil. Increasing public awareness about the plight of sawfish is a key component of Sawfish Conservation. International Sawfish Day is dedicated to spreading awareness about their endangered status and encouraging people to support conservation efforts. Sawfish Conservation Society is one of the foremost organizations dedicated to the global protection of sawfish.
