Occurrence of the green sawfish Pristis zijsron in the Sudanese Red Sea with observations on reproduction

A critical decline in sawfish populations, driven by human activities, has led to their classification as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. This study identifies the green sawfish (Pristis zijsron) as the sole species present in the Sudanese Red Sea, based on 26 rostra and six carcasses collected from 1969 to 2014, alongside market data and trawling surveys. Reproductive observations revealed parturition occurring from October to late April, with females reaching maturity at 350 cm total length (TL) and giving birth to broods of up to 12 neonates, measuring 60–80 cm TL. Key nursery areas—Marsa Ashat, Marsa Trinkitat, Agig Bay, Dungonab, and Oseif bays—are pinpointed as critical for conservation, necessitating targeted protection measures like marine reserves or time-area closures to safeguard the species.

Elhassan, I. (2018). Occurrence of the green sawfish Pristis zijsron in the Sudanese Red Sea with observations on reproduction. Endangered Species Research, 36, 41–47. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00873