At the jetty is the endangered Longcomb sawfish, caught off the coast of Jiwani; A photograph of the fish available on the Internet shows a pair in an aquarium. Photos: Express/file
KARACHI:
As in other parts of the world, “World Sawfish Day” was recently celebrated on October 17 to raise awareness about one of the most endangered marine species. The sawfish, once found in abundance along the country’s coast, is now locally extinct, with the last confirmed sighting being in Khijar Creek in 2018.
Marine experts and conservationists say a combination of factors, including the use of harmful fishing nets, unregulated hunting and climate change, have led to the disappearance of sawfish from Pakistani waters.
The sawfish, a unique member of the shark family, is easily identified by its long, saw-shaped snout lined with 20 to 30 sharp teeth. It can weigh up to 600 kilograms and was once commonly found in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and coastal regions of Pakistan, particularly Karachi, Pasni, Ormara and Jiwani.
“Until the 1970s and 1980s, sawfish were frequently seen in coastal areas such as Clifton, Keamari, Ibrahim Hyderi and Chashma Goth,” said Moazzam Khan, technical advisor, WWF-Pakistan. “But with the introduction of nylon nets, which replaced traditional cotton nets, the sawfish began to disappear, becoming the first marine species to become locally extinct in Pakistan.”
According to conservation data, three species of sawfish were once native to Pakistan. Tragically, most sawfish deaths occurred because their long snouts became entangled in fishing nets. Conservation bodies have since banned the sawfish trade and are advocating for stricter enforcement to prevent bycatch.
The last live sawfish was caught on May 29, 2018, while the second most recent incident involved a dead specimen found on June 29, 2013.
WWF-Pakistan has been working for the last 13 years to protect and reintroduce sawfish to local waters. “Collaborative efforts from all stakeholders are required to ensure any hope of revival,” Khan stressed.
World Sawfish Day, initiated by global conservation organizations, aims to highlight the critical threats facing this rare species and promote global efforts to conserve it. Conservationists hope that by raising awareness, the international community and local authorities can work together to prevent the complete extinction of this iconic sea creature.
