Abstract
As coastal urbanization increases globally, the subsequent effects on marine animals, especially endangered species, inhabiting nearshore waters have become a research priority. The smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata, once abundant in US waters, now only persists in a few parts of its former range, including South Florida. Many areas utilized by smalltooth sawfish are estuarine systems or other shallow coastal habitats, making this species particularly vulnerable to threats associated with coastal development. To date, P. pectinata has been understudied in the waters in and around Biscayne Bay, Florida, a coastal waterway subjected to the urbanization of adjacent Miami-Dade County. Here, we summarize data from reported smalltooth sawfish encounters dating as far back as 1895 (N = 90) and detail opportune recordings (incidental catches, acoustic detections, and baited remote underwater videos) of sub-adults and adults (N = 14 individuals) in Biscayne Bay and the adjacent reef tract. These data demonstrate historical and increased contemporary use of the study area by this imperiled species, suggesting potential local and regional recovery. Most documented sawfish occurrences were near the urban center, indicating a need to understand the effects of coastal urbanization on sawfish and on the species' recovery potential. We suggest priorities for future research on P. pectinata in the study area that will assist in addressing regional management goals and contribute to understanding the ecology of smalltooth sawfish under environmental change.
Highlights
Animals living in urban landscapes face different threats and stressors than those inhabiting pristine and relatively intact environments
Information on the use of the Biscayne Bay Habitat Focus Area (HFA) by P. pectinata is important given that these waters are partially bordered by the Miami metropolitan area and are highly impacted by anthropogenic effects associated with coastal urbanization, including fishing, boating, and pollution (Browder et al 2005)
The present study summarizes patterns of encounters of this species from International Sawfish Encounter Database (ISED) reports and an independent historical search and provides details on recent opportunistic recordings from a suite of research methods on both sub-adult and adult smalltooth sawfish within the Biscayne Bay HFA
Summary
Animals living in urban landscapes face different threats and stressors than those inhabiting pristine and relatively intact environments. Due to continued threats to the remaining US population of P. pectinata (Seitz & Poulakis 2006), the species was formally listed as ‘endangered’ under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2003 Along with these regulatory actions there has been a pointed effort to protect specific areas to support the conservation and recovery of the remaining US population. Information on the use of the Biscayne Bay HFA by P. pectinata is important given that these waters are partially bordered by the Miami metropolitan area and are highly impacted by anthropogenic effects associated with coastal urbanization, including fishing, boating, and pollution (sound, chemical, and light) (Browder et al 2005). The present study summarizes patterns of encounters of this species from ISED reports and an independent historical search and provides details on recent opportunistic recordings from a suite of research methods on both sub-adult and adult smalltooth sawfish within the Biscayne Bay HFA. We recommend research priorities for P. pectinata in this urbanized coastal waterway based on our findings
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