PezRaton: 2013

ENP

Sawfishes, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays that are characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, that is lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged so as to resemble a saw. Several species of sawfish can grow to approximately 7 metres or 23 feet. The family as a whole is largely unknown and little studied. This family, Pristidae, is the only living family within the order Pristiformes, whose name comes from the Ancient Greek: πρίστης prístēs "saw, sawyer".

Sawfishes should not be confused with sawsharks (order Pristiophoriformes), which have a similar appearance. All species of sawfish are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and face the threat of extinction as a result of habitat loss andoverfishing. Global populations of every species of sawfish are estimated to have fallen to less than 10% of their historic levels. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), for example, was once widely distributed, but available data indicate that the range of this species' distribution has been reduced by about 90%, and that the population numbers have declined dramatically, perhaps by 95% or more.

All species of sawfish are listed as critically endangered, and risk extinction, as their populations have declined to less than 10% of historical levels – the result of habitat destruction andoverfishing. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), for example, was once widely distributed in parts of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Indo-Pacific. Available data indicate that the range of this species' distribution has been reduced by about 90%. As a result, surviving local subpopulations have become severely fragmented. Population numbers of this species are estimated at less than 5-percent – perhaps as low as one percent – of their historic levels.

Sawfish are a powerful symbol in many cultures. The Aztecs revered sawfish as an "earth monster". Its rostrum is used by some Asian shamans for exorcisms and other ceremonies to repel demons and disease, which has contributed to its decline. The sawfish also notably served as the emblem of the German submarine U-96 (1940), known for its portrayal in Das Boot, and was later the symbol of the 9th U-Boat Flotilla. The German World War II Kampfabzeichen der Kleinkampfverbände (Battle Badge of Small Combat Units) depicted a sawfish. These units used midget submarines, manned torpedoes, and explosive boats.