International Sawfish Day
October 17
About International Sawfish Day
International Sawfish Day takes place on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The day raises awareness of sawfish, a group of large, ray-like fish that are among the most endangered marine animals on Earth, and the threats driving their decline. It is marked each year by aquariums, zoos, researchers and conservation groups around the world.
What is International Sawfish Day?
International Sawfish Day is an annual awareness day dedicated to sawfish, a family of shark-like rays named for the long, toothed rostrum, or saw, that extends from their snout. The day exists to highlight the plight of all five sawfish species, every one of which is now listed as Critically Endangered, and to promote the research and conservation work needed to save them. It is organised by the Sawfish Conservation Society in partnership with the sawfish studbook programmes of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), alongside research and conservation organisations and agencies such as NOAA Fisheries.
When is International Sawfish Day?
International Sawfish Day falls on Saturday, 17 October 2026. It is held on 17 October every year, so the date is fixed and does not change from one year to the next. The first International Sawfish Day was held in 2017, which means 2026 marks the tenth annual celebration of these remarkable fish.
Why International Sawfish Day Matters
Sawfish are often described as the most endangered family of marine fish in the world, and the statistics behind that claim are stark. All five species have been assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and research indicates that some populations have fallen by as much as 99 per cent. Sawfishes are now presumed extinct in 55 of the 90 countries where they were once found, a loss of close to 59 per cent of their historical range.
The decline is driven largely by overfishing and habitat loss. The toothed rostrum that makes sawfish so distinctive also makes them tragically easy to catch, as it readily becomes entangled in fishing nets and lines. Rivers, estuaries and mangroves that once served as vital nursery grounds have been dredged, dammed and degraded. International Sawfish Day matters because sawfish are not just an oddity of the ocean: as predators of shallow coastal and freshwater systems, they are an indicator of the health of the wider marine environment, and their recovery is still considered possible with sustained protection.
How to Get Involved in International Sawfish Day
There are many ways to take part, whether you live near sawfish habitat or simply want to spread the word online:
- Visit an aquarium or zoo – Many institutions that keep sawfish run special talks, feeds and outreach events on 17 October. Visiting is one of the few ways most people will ever see a living sawfish up close.
- Learn the five species – Get to know the smalltooth, largetooth, green, dwarf and narrow sawfish, and understand how each is faring across its range.
- Share on social media – Post facts, photos and links using the official hashtags to help reach people who have never heard of these fish.
- Report a sighting – If you live in or visit sawfish habitat, log encounters with the International Sawfish Encounter Database, which helps scientists track surviving populations.
- Support sawfish research – Donate to conservation funds such as the Alan D. Henningsen Memorial Sawfish Research and Conservation Grant, which finance fieldwork and protection.
- Fish responsibly – Anglers in sawfish waters can learn safe handling and release techniques, since accidental bycatch is a leading cause of sawfish deaths.
- Plan your own event – The organisers encourage anyone to host an activity of any size, from a school lesson to a community beach clean, and share it with the wider campaign.
- Protect coastal habitats – Support the conservation of mangroves, estuaries and rivers that sawfish depend on as nurseries.
History of International Sawfish Day
International Sawfish Day was established in 2017 as a collaboration between the sawfish studbook programmes of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, working with research and conservation organisations. The aim was simple but urgent: to give a low-profile, poorly understood group of fish a single day each year on which the world would pay attention.
The date of 17 October was chosen as a focal point for coordinated outreach, and the campaign has grown steadily since. Aquariums and museums across several continents now mark the occasion with public events, live broadcasts, radio interviews and educational activities. The Sawfish Conservation Society, a network of scientists and conservationists, has become a central coordinator for the day and for sawfish research more broadly.
The timing of the campaign reflects a wider conservation reckoning. In 2003 the smalltooth sawfish became the first marine fish in the United States to be granted protection under the Endangered Species Act, and in the years since, all five species have been recognised as Critically Endangered worldwide. International Sawfish Day has helped turn that scientific concern into public awareness.
Noteworthy Facts About Sawfish
- There are five species of sawfish: the smalltooth, largetooth, green, dwarf and narrow sawfish. All five are Critically Endangered.
- Despite their appearance, sawfish are not sharks. They are rays, more closely related to skates and stingrays.
- The largetooth sawfish can reach lengths of more than 7 metres, making it one of the largest fish to enter freshwater rivers.
- The saw, or rostrum, is studded with electro-sensitive pores that detect the movement of prey, and is used to slash and stun small fish.
- Sawfish are presumed extinct in 55 of the 90 countries where they once lived, roughly 59 per cent of their historical range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Sawfish Day?
It is an annual awareness day that highlights the world’s five Critically Endangered sawfish species and promotes the research and conservation needed to protect them. It is led by the Sawfish Conservation Society and partner aquarium and research organisations.
When is International Sawfish Day in 2026?
International Sawfish Day is on Saturday, 17 October 2026. It is held on the same date every year.
Are sawfish sharks?
No. Although they look shark-like, sawfish are a type of ray. They belong to the same broad group as skates and stingrays, with a flattened body and gills on their underside.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing International Sawfish Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #InternationalSawfishDay and #IntlSawfishDay on social media. The more people who know about sawfish and the threats they face, the bigger the impact.
Related Awareness Days
- Shark Awareness Day – Focuses on the conservation of sharks and their close relatives, the rays, to which sawfish belong.
- World Sea Turtle Day – Another day spotlighting an endangered marine animal threatened by fishing and habitat loss.
- World Aquatic Animal Day – A broader celebration of the animals that live in our oceans, rivers and lakes.
Links
- Visit the official International Sawfish Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by David Clode on Unsplash.
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