AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature Same sad story

Geez, for a minute there, I thought you'd taken that photo on your dives today!

No its a google steal.

have you seen the Reef Currents' NEWLETTER FOR THE NORTHERN MARINE RESERVE?

The impressive Sawfish at one time was a common occurrence in the bays, lagoons, rivers, and estuaries in Belize. Fishermen used to catch saw fish in gill nets for sale in Mexico. For many years these fishes have been believed to be locally extinct in the waters of Belize, but reported sittings in recent years have now changed that belief. It is now thought that they may still exist in very low numbers in isolated lagoons along the main coast of Belize. Reports have come from areas within the Corozal Bay from fishermen who frequently fish this area. The most recent report is from October 2009.

Although not completely extinct throughout the world their numbers have been reduce to near extinction. In 2000 Sawfish were added to the IUCN Red List for endangered species. Very little is known about the life history of these amazing fish. What is certain is that they play a major role as an apex predator in many coastal ecosystems.

Sawfish have been caught traditionally for their meat, for their saws to be sold in the marine trade, and for their fins which is prized on the Asian market.

According to Dr. Rachel Graham Belize's long coastline and large stretches of good quality habitat and low human population density may represent one of the last regional strongholds for sawfish if these species still exist in our waters. This is important given that this species have disappeared in many areas throughout the world. These areas in Belize are under threat from development hence it is critical that information be gathered as to the status of these unique fish in our waters.

An assessment was carried out in March 2010 to try and document Sawfish in Belize, and while none was found by the research team, the search for this illusive fish will continue through the help of fishermen in the area. Any reports of sighting of Sawfish in recent years and the location of those sittings are well appreciated.