03-26-2002, 05:31 PM
This came to me from Capt. Dave Sutton<br><br>The Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota is in the midst of a study on the sawfish, pristis pectinata. The study began in 1999 to address inadequacies in the current state of knowledge about sawfish and to assist in the development of effective conservation strategies for the critically endangered species. One component of the project is to compile a sawfish sightings database. And that is where you can help. If anyone catches or encounters a sawfish, (while sampling, fishing, diving, and boating) the researchers would like to know about it. Report as much information as is available such as date and time of capture, location, habitat type, water quality, method of capture or encounter, and size of the sawfish. Any photos that are available from the encounter are also helpful. To report information regarding a sawfish capture or encounter e-mail sawfish@mote.org. Or log on to www.mote.org/-Sawfish/SawfishHomePage.html. Or call 941-388-4441 for more information<br><br>