A puzzling phenomenon has gripped south Florida as smalltooth sawfish exhibit unusual behaviours, prompting an emergency response led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Reports of spinning, whirling, and other abnormal activities have spurred a first-ever plan to rescue and rehabilitate this endangered species from the wild.
According to NOAA, these abnormal behaviours are accompanied by reports of fish deaths in the lower Florida Keys, including over 28 smalltooth sawfish as of 24 March. Despite extensive efforts, the cause of these behaviours and deaths remains unknown, with necropsy results ruling out communicable pathogens and bacterial infections.
Adam Brame, NOAA Fisheries’ sawfish recovery coordinator, expressed hope for positive outcomes from the rescue attempts while acknowledging the challenges. The smalltooth sawfish, one of five sawfish species, faces threats such as habitat loss and accidental capture in fisheries, leading to a significant decline in population.
Given their limited numbers, the mortality of at least two dozen sawfish could have severe repercussions on the species’ recovery. To mitigate this, the NOAA plans to rescue and observe the smalltooth sawfish in quarantine facilities, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild after rehabilitation.
The smalltooth sawfish, resembling sharks but actually rays, inhabit tropical seas and estuaries, primarily feeding on fish and occasionally invertebrates. Their decline in the latter half of the 20th century led to federal protection as an endangered species.
As efforts intensify to understand and address the mysterious behaviour of smalltooth sawfish, collaborative efforts and support from partners are crucial in safeguarding this iconic species and its habitat.
