IUCN Species of the Day: Narrowsnout Sawfish

 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

Photo credit: Flavio Ferrari

 

The Narrowsnout Sawfish, Pristis zijsron, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This large and unusual ray has a shark-like body and a long, flattened snout, or saw, which bears numerous pairs of ‘teeth’. It is found in the northern Indian Ocean around Southeast Asia and Australia, and in the western Pacific Ocean.

Like all sawfishes, the Narrowsnout Sawfish is highly vulnerable to both targeted and incidental capture in fisheries, easily becoming entangled in nets due to its large size and the toothed saw. As a result, this species has declined severely in number and range, and may have disappeared completely from some areas.

The Narrowsnout Sawfish may occur in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia, and is also a protected species in India. However, strict legal protection is required throughout its range, and further research is needed into the species’ biology and populations. Levels of bycatch also need to be monitored if this sawfish is to be better protected.

 

Geographic Range of the Narrowsnout SawfishCredit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

 

To learn more about the Narrowsnout Sawfish, click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.

 

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To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.

 

 

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