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Sawfish are considered some of the world's most threatened marine fish, with all five species listed as critically endangered or endangered. They are hunted for their fins, flesh, teeth, and saws, and are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing nets. In Australia, sawfish are protected, and up to five species can be found in the country, primarily in the north. They are commonly found in estuaries and freshwater rivers and creeks in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory |
| Rivers | Fitzroy River, Kimberley Coast |
| Depths | 25m, 40m |
| Estuaries | Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria |
| Species | Largetooth, Green, Dwarf/Queensland, Narrow, Freshwater |
| Status | Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable |
| Length | Up to 7m, 6.5m, 7.6m |
| Diet | Fish, Benthic invertebrates |
| Reproduction | Live birth, 8 pups, Mate every other year |
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What You'll Learn
Sawfish are found in Queensland's estuaries, rivers, and creeks
In Queensland, sawfish are primarily found in the northern regions, including the Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria. They can also be found in the rivers and estuaries of the Fitzroy River, which is an essential breeding habitat for the species. The survival of sawfish in this area is threatened by dams and water diversions that impact their breeding cycle.
The four species of sawfish found in Queensland include the largetooth sawfish, green sawfish, dwarf/Queensland sawfish, and freshwater sawfish. The largetooth sawfish, also known as the freshwater sawfish, is one of the world's largest fish species, growing up to over 6.5 meters in length. It is a predator that uses its rostrum for hunting and self-defence, feeding on fish and benthic invertebrates.
The dwarf/Queensland sawfish can be found in coastal and estuarine habitats and even in the mudflats of the Gulf of Carpentaria. They can also be found in rivers, sometimes venturing quite far upstream into freshwater areas. The green sawfish, on the other hand, was last seen in New South Wales waters in 1972 and is now presumed extinct in those waters due to historical fishing pressures.
Sawfish are protected in Queensland, but they still face the risk of accidental capture by fishers. Conservation efforts are underway to reduce bycatch and improve the post-release survival of sawfish in the region. Sawfish are considered a ""no-take"" species, and reporting sightings, injuries, or deaths is crucial for their conservation.
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They are also found in the Northern Territory and Western Australia
Sawfish are found in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, with the Northern Territory supporting a good population in the Adelaide River and Daly River. They are also found in the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley, where they are completely reliant on the wet season floods to complete their breeding cycle. In recent drier years, the population has suffered. Sawfish are also found in the Gulf of Carpentaria and in the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia. They are also found in the mudflats in the Gulf of Carpentaria and in the Broome in Western Australia.
Sawfish are vulnerable to gillnets and trawlers because of their saw-like rostrum, which gets easily tangled in nets. They are also accidentally caught in gillnets used to catch barramundi and in trawler nets used to scoop up prawns. They are resilient to capture because, as rays, they don't need to move to breathe. However, there are allegations that some fishers chop off their saws, resulting in a slow and painful death.
Sawfish are also commonly found in estuaries and freshwater rivers and creeks in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. They can move between fresh and salt water, but they are content to sit on the bottom of shallow muddy rivers. They are mostly marine and can be found at depths of at least 40 metres in northern Australian waters. They are also found as far inland as 800 km south of the coastal city of Darwin and are depicted in rock art by Indigenous Australians.
Sawfish are now presumed extinct in 55 nations, and Australia is considered one of the last strongholds of the species, where they are better protected. They are currently listed as "vulnerable" in Australia, but this classification is outdated. A scientific assessment in 2021 reclassified two of Australia's sawfish species as "critically endangered", one as "endangered", and one as "vulnerable".
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Sawfish are among the world's most endangered sharks and rays
Sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of very large rays characterised by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about 7–7.6 m (23–25 ft). They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. They are closely related to sharks and are often feared as animals that can sink ships by piercing the hull with their saws. However, there are also stories of them saving people.
Sawfish are unique and iconic rays. They are also powerful symbols in many cultures. Asian shamans use sawfish rostrums for exorcisms and other ceremonies to repel demons and diseases. Illustrations of sawfish are often found at Buddhist temples in Thailand. In the Sepik region of New Guinea, locals admire sawfish but also see them as punishers who will unleash heavy rainstorms on anyone breaking fishing taboos.
Sawfish are now among the world's most endangered sharks and rays. All five species are rated as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are hunted for their fins, flesh, teeth, and saws, which are used in traditional medicines, sold as souvenirs, or kept as trophies. Their fins are used in shark fin soup, and their parts are used in traditional medicine. They also face habitat loss due to human developments and pollution, which degrade their coastal and estuarine habitats. The global population is considered to be less than 50% of its level 30–50 years ago. In Australia, up to five species of sawfish are found, and three of these—the largetooth sawfish, green sawfish, and dwarf/Queensland sawfish—are currently listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). They are also threatened by entanglement in fishing nets, as their saw-like snout gets easily caught in nets.
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They are hunted for their fins, flesh, teeth, and saws
Sawfish are found in Northern Australia and are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about 7–7.6 metres (23–25 feet). They are a type of ray, with a long, narrow, flattened rostrum (or "saw") lined with sharp transverse teeth. They are slow breeders and face a drastic decline in population, with all five species being critically endangered. They are protected in Australia, and accidental capture of sawfish must be reported, with violations resulting in fines.
Sawfish are hunted for their fins, flesh, teeth, and saws. Their fins are highly valued in the fin trade, fetching prices of around US$4000 per set. They are in high demand for shark fin soup, which has led to the expansion of the international shark finning fishing fleet. Sawfish are particularly vulnerable to becoming entangled in modern nylon fishing nets due to their saws. This vulnerability, combined with the difficulty and danger of releasing entangled sawfish, means that some fishers will kill them or cut off their saws before bringing them aboard. The saw is also sought after as it can sell for hundreds of US dollars as trophies or curios.
The teeth of the sawfish, known as rostral teeth, are unique and grow throughout the sawfish's life. If a tooth is lost, it is not replaced. The rostral teeth are not traditional teeth but heavily modified dermal denticles. The number of teeth varies depending on the species, ranging from 14 to 37 on each side of the rostrum.
The saw is also highly valued, playing a critical role in the sawfish's survival. It is used for defence against predators such as sharks, and for detecting and capturing prey. The saw, along with the head, contains thousands of sensory organs, the ampullae of Lorenzini, which allow the sawfish to detect and monitor the movements of prey by measuring the electric fields they emit. This is especially important in murky waters, where hunting by sight is limited.
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Sawfish are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing nets
Historically, sawfish were often accidentally or intentionally caught in fishing nets, particularly gill nets. Their large size, reaching up to 7 metres in length, and their potential to damage fishing gear or threaten fishermen, led to their demise once caught. While legislative changes, such as the 1995 Florida Net Ban Amendment, have reduced this threat, sawfish continue to be inadvertently captured in various fishing gears, including shrimp trawls, bottom longlines, and recreational hook-and-line gear.
Sawfish are particularly vulnerable to entanglement due to their rostrum, which can easily become tangled in nets. This is exacerbated by their resilience to capture, as they are rays and do not need to move to breathe. The accidental capture of sawfish in fishing nets has contributed significantly to their population decline. In Australia, sawfish numbers have plummeted due to historical fishing pressures, with overfishing being a critical factor.
To address this issue, fishing gear modifications and regulations have been implemented. For instance, Florida has banned gillnets in state waters, and safe handling and release guidelines have been developed for fishermen. These guidelines instruct fishermen on how to safely remove sawfish from different types of fishing gear and emphasise the importance of quick release. Additionally, protocols have been established for commercial fishing vessels to reduce the impact of hook-and-line gear on sawfish.
The vulnerability of sawfish to entanglement in fishing nets underscores the importance of conservation efforts and the implementation of protective measures. By reducing the incidence of entanglement and ensuring the safe release of sawfish, we can contribute to the recovery and preservation of this endangered species.
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Frequently asked questions
Sawfish are found in the coastal waters and estuaries of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. They can also be found in the rivers of these regions, and have been recorded up to 400km inland in the Fitzroy River. Sawfish are resilient and can survive in both fresh and salt water.
There are up to five species of sawfish found in Australia: the largetooth sawfish, the green sawfish, the dwarf/Queensland sawfish, the narrow sawfish and the freshwater sawfish. All of these species are considered vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.
No, sawfish have experienced a drastic decline in recent decades and are now among the most threatened groups of marine fish. They are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in fishing nets and trawlers due to their saw-like rostrum, and are also targeted for their fins, flesh and other body parts. Northern Australia is the last remaining stronghold for sawfish populations.
