Sawfish exploitation and status in Bangladesh

摘要: Sawfish are among the world's most threatened and understudied marine fishes. There few studies on sawfish from outside Australian USA waters - a significant knowledge gap considering their circumtropical distribution migratory nature. This paper presents first assessment of exploitation status in Bangladesh: country that is subject to extensive fishing efforts, home largest mangrove forest Earth – an ecosystem provides critical nursery habitat for juvenile sawfish. A countrywide rapid was undertaken between December 2011 November 2012, using interdisciplinary methodology. Fish landing stations, dry fish markets, villages were visited medicine maker found interviewed. In addition, interviews with national specialists at academic fisheries institutions undertaken. total, 203 questionnaire surveys conducted fishers traders order understand extent decline, potential drivers declines, local perceptions uses sawfish. Eighteen rostra documented museum archives private collections, unpublished data sourced. Two species, Pristis pristis Anoxypristis cuspidata confirmed be present Bangladesh. General population declines revealed. The average annual encounter rate (observations catches) declined 3.7 individuals lifetime recall (~22-year), 1.5 5-year data, further 0.7 1-year data. The consensus social research methods caught as bycatch, drift gill nets being cited damaging gear type. Every respondent perceived useful animal typically medicinal or cultural values. Conservation measures proposed, including education outreach programme seek behavioural changes primarily release live sawfish. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.