Abstract
This project used public encounter information, field surveys, and acoustic monitoring to investigate the historical and current occurrence of endangered sawfishes in the Tampa Bay region of Florida which includes the riverine, estuarine, and Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters of Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties. A total of 133 sawfish records from 1861 through May 2022 were collected. Though historical records were fewer than expected which could limit recovery expectations within the region, several factors provide optimism for future sawfish reoccupation in Tampa Bay. Reports from the Tampa Bay region have increased since 2000 with the full size range of sawfish represented, indicating that some pupping is occurring. Encounters have been reported in every month, suggesting year-round use of the area. Two neonate sawfish were caught during directed sampling in 2021 and at least ten different sawfish were detected in the Tampa Bay area during initial acoustic tagging efforts 2017-2021. Given limitations of public encounter data it remains imperative to evaluate any range expansion or signs of recovery using multiple lines of evidence; therefore, the Tampa Bay sawfish research project is intended to continue over the longterm.