![]() ![]() Smalltooth sawfish populations declined dramatically during the second half of the 20th century due to habitat loss associated with coastal development and accidental capture in fisheries. In the United States, they can be found in Florida’s coastal waters. Smalltooth sawfish live in tropical seas and estuaries of the Atlantic Ocean. ![]() Instead, their skeletons are made of cartilage, a firm tissue more flexible than bone. All sawfish belong to a group of fish called elasmobranchs that includes rays, skates, and sharks. Sawfish get their name from their distinct rostrum-a long, flat snout edged with teeth-that looks like a saw. The smalltooth sawfish is one of five species of sawfish and was listed as endangered in 2003. Credit: NOAA Fisheries Smalltooth Sawfish Share your information by calling us at (727) 824-5312 or emailing. If possible, please take photos or video of the ray and note your location. Help us learn more by reporting any giant manta ray you see. We have developed a recovery outline to provide a preliminary strategy for recovery of the species and recommend high priority actions to stabilize and recover the species. Manta rays are particularly valued for their gill rakers-comb-like bony projections used to filter food from the water. The species is both targeted and caught as bycatch in a number of global fisheries throughout its range. The main threat to the giant manta ray is capture in fishing gear. They are filter feeders who eat large quantities of zooplankton. Giant manta rays are slow-growing migratory fish that are sparsely distributed across the world. It is the world’s largest ray with a wingspan of up to 29 feet. The giant manta ray was listed as threatened in 2018. Credit: George Schmahl/Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Giant Manta Ray Giant manta ray in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. We developed a recovery outline to provide a preliminary strategy for conservation of the Rice’s whale. Recovery of the species depends on the protection of each remaining whale from threats such as vessel strikes, ocean debris, and entanglement in fishing gear. We collected data on the physical, oceanographic, and biological features that may influence Rice’s whale distribution. With partners, we began a multi-year study in 20. The Rice’s whale is the only baleen whale known to reside in the Gulf of Mexico year-round. Its population size is estimated to be fewer than 100 animals. The Rice’s whale is one of the most endangered whales in the world. Although researchers have known about these whales for years, they were recognized as a unique species just 2 years ago. The Rice’s whale, originally listed as the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale Distinct Population Segment, is listed as endangered. Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Act by learning about some of the listed species in the Southeast region. This landmark legislation is an effective tool for conserving species and their habitats. In 1973, with wide bipartisan support, Congress passed and the president signed the Endangered Species Act, one of the most powerful conservation laws in history. ![]()
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