Endangered sawfish rescued after being trapped in Manatee County pond

Sawfish trapped in lower Tampa Bay rescued thanks to young fisherman’s catch of a lifetime

Sawfish were once a common sight in Florida waters, but now they're endangered and facing a number of threats – including an illness that causes them to spin.

Endangered sawfish rescued after being trapped in Manatee County pond

PALMETTO, Fla. (WFLA) — An endangered smalltooth sawfish was relocated this week after being trapped in a lower Tampa Bay wetland. A team of research experts from Havenworth Coastal Conservation (HCC), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and NOAA Fisheries successfully captured, tagged, and relocated the 7.4 foot sawfish into open waters following reports from concerned citizens. “The sawfish got in the tidal pond either…