An alarming mystery is unfolding in the Sunshine State of Florida. Reports of distressed and dying rare sawfish have surged to a shocking number (39), sending shockwaves through the scientific community as researchers scramble to uncover the cause behind this devastating phenomenon.
As of Tuesday, a team of experts led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has retrieved 15 smalltooth sawfish for testing. Tom Matthews, a biologist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Are the two related? We can’t definitively say that, but we’re pursuing this with every means we have.”
The saga began in early November when peculiar behavior among various fish species was observed, with the fish exhibiting disorienting whirling motion primarily occurring at night. The Bonefish Tarpon Trust mobilized a team to investigate as reports came from the Lower Keys Guides Association. But things took a dire turn when the first dead sawfish was discovered over two months later on January 30. Since then, an escalating number of distressed or deceased sawfish have raised grave concerns among scientists.
Dr. Dean Grubbs, a fish ecologist at Florida State University, expressed deep apprehension over the situation, emphasizing the critical status of sawfish globally. “There are five species of sawfish in the world. That’s it. And they’re all listed as endangered or critically endangered,” Grubbs, a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s sawfish recovery team, lamented. The smalltooth sawfish, in particular, faces near-extinction due to factors such as bycatch and habitat degradation, leading to their addition to the endangered species list in 2003. “So an occurrence like this, where all of a sudden quite a few large animals are dying inexplicably, is of great concern.”
Despite conservation efforts and a gradual population rebound, adult sawfish remain elusive creatures, leaving researchers puzzled as to why they may be succumbing to the same mysterious affliction affecting other fish in the Lower Keys. “Even though they lay on the bottom, they’re highly mobile. They can move fast. So why they wouldn’t move out of an area that potentially has something toxic in it, I don’t know,” Grubbs lamented. As the majority of deceased sawfish and other afflicted species are concentrated between Bahia Honda and Key West, he believes that the current events appear localized to that specific area.
Initial investigations point to a single-celled algae known for its association with ciguatera, a naturally occurring toxin found in reef fish. However, Mike Parsons, an algae expert from Florida Gulf Coast University, says this is a complex situation: “A toxin isn’t toxic to everything. So is this a fish-specific toxin?” The toxin’s unusual impact on fish, potentially through gill absorption rather than ingestion, presents a novel challenge for researchers. “We realize there’s other potential answers out there and we just need to see if there’s enough information to continue down this path, or are we barking up the wrong tree and we’re going to have to switch over. But right now we’re looking at this tree.”
For now, the impact on local ecosystems and fishing communities is worrying. Captain Benny Blanco expressed frustration over the delayed response from state officials, emphasizing the detrimental effect on fishing livelihoods. “All the guides down there are super concerned because it’s affecting baitfish and crustaceans. That’s a major concern for their fishery,” Blanco remarked. “When the guides are screaming [about this situation], FWC should roll out the band wagon – and they just took too long.”
As scientists continue to unravel this ecological puzzle, the urgency to safeguard the future of these sawfish and the delicate balance of marine ecosystems in the Florida Keys can be felt through the community. During their recent expedition in the Keys, Grubbs’ research team successfully captured and tagged eleven robust sawfish approximately 14 miles east near Marathon. “The largest one was 14 feet long and they all seemed perfectly healthy,” he reported. “So, of course, the hope is that whatever’s causing this doesn’t spread further up the Keys.”
Report all healthy, sick, injured or dead sawfish to FWC’s Sawfish Hotline at 844-472-9374 or via email at Sawfish@myfwc.com with the date, time and location of the encounter, estimated length, water depth and any other relevant details. Under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to catch, harm, harass, or kill an endangered sawfish. It is also unlawful to possess, sell, carry or transport sawfish or parts of sawfish — such as the rostrum (snout). While some fishermen catch sawfish as bycatch, they can follow safe handling and release guidelines to quickly and safely release incidentally captured sawfish. If you see abnormal fish behavior, fish disease, and fish kills, submit a report to FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline either through the web form MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill or by phone 800-636-0511.
