An endangered sawfish, rescued in the Florida Keys last month after displaying erratic behaviour, has sadly passed away during treatment at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota. The 11-foot (3.3-meter) smalltooth sawfish was found swimming in circles off Cudjoe Key on April 5, amid an abnormal fish die-off affecting at least 45 sawfish and other species.
Despite efforts to rehabilitate and release the sawfish, its condition worsened, leading to humane euthanasia. Mote Marine President and CEO Michael Crosby expressed disappointment, stating that despite their best efforts, the animal was too compromised to recover.
Sawfish, known for their distinctive long snouts with rows of teeth, were once widespread in the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic coasts but are now mainly found in southwestern Florida and the Keys. Their habitats have diminished over time, putting them at greater risk.
Necropsies on the sawfish have not identified specific causes for the distress, ruling out pathogens, low oxygen levels, or contaminants like chemicals and red tide. Ongoing water testing aims to uncover more insights.
Climate change is considered a potential factor, as rising temperatures have adversely impacted Florida’s marine ecosystems. Last summer, exceptionally warm waters caused coral bleaching and the deaths of various marine species. Similar conditions persist this year, raising concerns about the long-term health of coastal environments.
The loss of this sawfish underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts and research to protect endangered species and address environmental challenges. Wildlife officials continue their investigations to understand and mitigate the factors contributing to the distress of marine life in Florida’s waters.