Mote Marine Labortory began a research project on the Conservation
Biology of Smalltooth Sawfish in 1999. This research project is headed
by Senior Scientist Dr. Colin Simpfendorfer, the manager of the Elasmobranch
Fisheries and Conservation Program in the Center for Shark Research.
The aim of Mote's Sawfish Research Project is to provide
data on the current status of smallttooth sawfish and provide scientific
information on which to base effective conservation measures. To do this
the Sawfish Research Project has several components:
1. Surveys for sawfish. Mote staff undertake regular surveys
throughout southwest Florida (from Tampa Bay to the Marquesas Keys)
to determine the current distribution and abundance of smalltooth sawfish,
and to provide access to live animals for other studies (see below).
These surveys are carried out using longlines, rod and reel, sene nets
and gillnets. The primary gear used are 800 m longlines. Other techniques
are used as needed, especially to catch younger animals.
Mote Senior Scientist Colin Simpfendorfer
releaes a baby sawfish that was caught in a survey in the Everglades
National Park
2. Public sighting database. Mote staff are collecting
sightings of sawfish from the public to help in the determination of
the distribution and abundance of sawfish, and to examine habitat use
patterns. People catching or sighting a sawfish are asked to contact
Mote (see Report a Sawfish
page).
Locations of sawfish sightings reported
to Mote Marine Laboratory since 1999.
3. Acoustic tracking. Many of the sawfish caught during
surveys are fitted with acoustic tags so that researchers can follow
their movements. The data collected are being used to determine the
habitat use patterns of sawfish, investigate the impact of human development
on habitat use, a calcualte their home range size. These data are being
used to identify critical habitat areas for conservation purposes.
Track of a juvenile sawfish. Different
colors indicate different days.
4. Satellite tracking. To examine the longer-term
movements of sawfish satellite tracking is being used. Larger animals
are fitted with tags. These tags collect data on location, depth and
temperature and at a programmed date release from the animal and transmit
their data to the ARGOS satellite system. A new type of tag is being
assessed that reports its location when the sawfish's dorsal fin breaks
the surface.
Staff Biologist Tonya Wiley releases a
sawfish with a satellite tag.
5. Genetic analysis to investigate the impact
of population decline. Genetic diversity is often reduced when populations
go through severe declines and we are investigating the diversity of
florida's sawfish in an attempt to understand if there has been any
genetic impact from the population decline. This work is being carried
out in collaboration with Gavin Naylor and Vicente Faria of Iowa State
University.
6. Population modeling. Computer models of
sawfish populations are being developed to investigate the rate of change
in the population and how the population will recover under different
conservation strategies.
