Endangered Sawfish of Tampa Bay

Sawfish are large shark-like rays that once were relatively common in Florida's coastal waters including Tampa Bay. Now, Florida's smalltooth sawfish is endangered and scientists are striving to learn as much as possible about this iconic and fascinating fish.
During her presentation, Tonya Wiley (President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation in Palmetto) will share interesting facts about sawfish, updates on current research projects, explanations of management tools such as the Endangered Species Act, descriptions of ways you can be involved in the recovery of sawfish, and other information about the unique and endangered smalltooth sawfish.
Tonya Wiley grew up far from saltwater in Michigan and north Texas but developed a love for the ocean during family vacations to Florida and caught her first shark at age 8 while fishing with her dad in Charlotte Harbor. Following a stint in the US Navy she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Fisheries from Texas A&M University at Galveston. She completed an internship with the White Shark Research Institute in South Africa, and then a temporary research project on endangered suckers with US Geological Survey in Oregon. Tonya has worked for the Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Marine Finfish Hatchery Technician, Ecosystem Management Technician, and Fisheries Outreach Specialist; and for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research on the Sawfish Research Project leading field surveys for endangered smalltooth sawfish from Tampa Bay to the Florida Keys. Tonya is now the President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation, founded to promote the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources through research, outreach, and education.