An endangered smalltooth sawfish was caught by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission while conducting sampling in the St. Lucie River.
The fish is one of five sawfish species found in Florida water, but primarily on the west coast.
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The population has declined and is now listed under the US Endangered Species Act.
After finding the fish, FWC contacted researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch.
Researchers were able to tag the rare female sawfish and are hopeful they will be able to use the fish to regenerate the population while learning more about the species.
