Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Plan (Pristis pectinata)

摘要

The U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), hereinafter smalltooth sawfish or the species, was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) on April 1, 2003 (68 FR 15674) in response to a 1999 listing petition from The Ocean Conservancy (formerly the Center for Marine Conservation). Smalltooth sawfish were once prevalent throughout Florida and were commonly encountered from Texas to North Carolina. Currently, smalltooth sawfish can only be found with any regularity in south Florida between the Caloosahatchee River and the Florida Keys. Based on the contraction in range and anecdotal data, it is likely that the population is currently at a level less than 5% of its size at the time of European settlement.