Top Sawfishes Fishing Countries

Sawfishes, belonging to the family Pristidae, are large, distinctive rays characterized by their long, flattened snouts edged with tooth-like structures, resembling a saw. Historically, sawfishes were widely distributed in tropical and subtropical coastal waters and estuaries, with significant populations in the Indo-West Pacific and Atlantic regions. Countries such as India, Bangladesh, Australia, and several West African nations were once prominent in sawfish catches, harvesting them for their meat, fins, and unique rostra. However, due to overfishing, habitat loss, and bycatch in gillnets and trawls, sawfish populations have plummeted, leading to their classification as some of the most endangered marine fishes globally. Today, commercial sawfish fisheries have largely collapsed, and international trade is heavily restricted under CITES, with remaining populations primarily found in Australia and parts of the United States, where strict protections are in place.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.