Sri Lankan Sawfish Populations Face Critical Decline, Study Finds
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A 2021 study by the Blue Resources Trust (BRT) indicates sawfish populations in Sri Lanka have drastically declined, with many older fishers reporting no encounters since 1992. The last confirmed sighting was in 2017. Three species historically found in these waters are listed as critically endangered.
Facts First
- A 2021 study found sawfish populations in Sri Lanka have sharply declined, based on interviews with 300 fishers.
- Half of older fishers who had seen a sawfish reported no encounters since 1992, according to BRT's Akshay Tanna.
- The last confirmed record was a photographed encounter off Sri Lanka's eastern coast in 2017.
- Three historically recorded species are critically endangered: the narrow, largetooth, and green sawfish.
What Happened
Researchers from the nonprofit Blue Resources Trust (BRT) interviewed 300 fishers across 21 harbors in 2021 to assess the status of sawfish species in Sri Lanka. Akshay Tanna with the BRT stated that roughly half of the older fishers who had seen a sawfish had not encountered one since 1992. The last confirmed record of a sawfish in the country was a chance encounter in 2017 off the eastern coast, where a fisher photographed the animal.
Why this Matters to You
The decline of these unique predators could indicate broader, unseen problems in marine ecosystems. This loss of biodiversity may eventually affect the health of fisheries and the stability of coastal communities that depend on them.
What's Next
The study provides a crucial baseline for conservation efforts. Marine biologists may use this data to prioritize areas for protection or to launch targeted searches for any remaining sawfish populations. Further research and monitoring will be essential to determine if recovery is still possible for these critically endangered species.