‘Super rare’ sawfish caught at Pak-Iran border

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

Karachi: A long comb sawfish, the most critically endangered marine species has been caught by a fisherman at the Pakistan-Iran border.

According to a statement issued World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan, the fish, scientifically known as Pristis zijsron, is considered to the most rare aquatic animal.

In the last decade, only three species of sawfish including the knife-tooth (Anoxypristis cuspidatus), large-tooth (Pristis pristis), and large-comb (Pristis zijsron) were reported from Pakistan.  

Once abundantly found in Pakistani waters, sawfish species have become extinct locally. 

For the conservation of these marine animals, WWF-Pakistan always urged to take necessary steps.

Sawfish, which are related to sharks, have a uniquely long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. 

Meanwhile, WWF Technical Adviser Moazzam Khan said that the discovery of the sawfish proves that the rare species is still found in the Pakistani waters and proper steps need to be taken for its survival.

As per experts, since 1950, the use of plastic nets has led to the extinction of other rare aquatic life, including sawfish.

In May 2018, a 15-foot-long female large-tooth sawfish was caught by a fisherman near Khajar Creek. 

Another specimen was caught from the same area a few years earlier in June 2013. 

Since 2016, Sindh and Balochistan governments had included sawfish in the list of species that cannot be fished, landed, and marketed imposing a complete ban.

In addition, there are 6,811 marine species that are considered to be Critically Endangered.