Posted on March 7, 2024 at 6:42am ET
jamie mae darrow
/
florida wildlife institute
A short-tailed sawfish was discovered off the coast of South Florida in 2016 by researchers at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute.
The number of rare sawfish killed in the Lower Keys has increased to 20 since the fall, as scientists and state officials continue to struggle to determine what is poisoning various fish species in coastal waters. .
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Wednesday that test results are not yet available.
The distressed fish first started showing up in November. Many spun violently in the water and struggled to maintain their balance. More than 20 species of fish were found dead, including tarpon, snook and permit, three important sport fish that attract tourists from around the world. Other species include snapper, horse mackerel, pinfish, mullet, and stingray.
The first sawfish carcass was discovered in late January. As of last week, nearly 50 sightings of dead or sick sawfish have been reported. The FWC only releases the number of dead sawfish found by the agency, but scientists say the number is likely much higher.
Sawfish numbers around the world are declining alarmingly. There are only five species left, all of which are endangered. The smalltooth sawfish found is the only sawfish found only in the United States and South Florida. It was added to the endangered species list in 2003 after becoming nearly extinct due to netting and habitat loss in coastal estuaries where they give birth and raise their chicks.
Sick or dead fish should be reported to the Sawfish Hotline at 1-844-4SAWFISH or FWC's Fish Killing Hotline at 800-636-0511 or MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill.
Read more: Scientists continue to search for what's poisoning fish in the Lower Keys.A dead sawfish was also found.
Sign up for WLRN's environmental newsletter, Field Notes, to receive an insider's guide to living in South Florida's changing landscape. Get original reports and summaries with context delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.
