Madagascar: Education Can Help Protect Sawfishes in Mozambique and Madagascar

analysis

Of all sharks and rays worldwide, sawfishes - related to stingrays and manta rays - are considered to be the family at greatest risk of extinction. The long, toothed saw - which gives them their unique appearance - also makes them extremely vulnerable to entanglement in fishing nets. Their numbers have fallen because they are caught accidentally in industrial fishing nets. In addition to that, they are targeted by some fishermen because their fins can fetch high prices.

There are five species of sawfish globally. Two can reach around seven metres in total length (including the saw), making them the third largest members of the shark and ray family.

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