NOAA seeks tips on illegal killing of endangered smalltooth sawfish in Florida

Press Release

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

06. August 2015

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NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement seeks tips on illegal killing of endangered smalltooth sawfish in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

St. Petersburg, FL – Authorities recovered the detached head of an endangered sawfish July 29 on Fort Lauderdale Beach. According to law enforcement officials, based on the animal’s remains, it was likely killed and harvested for its meat.

It is illegal to kill or injure sawfish under the Endangered Species Act. Violations can result in penalties with fines up to $25,000 and one year in jail for the most serious violations. It is also illegal to sell the meat or other body parts of an endangered species, like a sawfish rostrum.

The agency is looking for information from anyone who may know something about the illegal killing of this animal.

Please call NOAA’s law enforcement hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922 to report any information about this incident. Tips may be left anonymously.

Source and Photo: NOAA