The Lost Voice of the Sawfish

A Story That Can Still Be Heard in la Moskitia region of Honduras.

The Moskitia region, located in northeastern part of Honduras, has historically been a key habitat for two species of sawfish: the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis) and the smalltooth sawfish (P. pectinata). However, the degradation of coastal ecosystems, the loss of critical habitats, and the use of unsustainable fishing gear have drastically reduced their populations in recent decades. Currently, Honduras is considered a Priority I country within the Global Strategy for Sawfish Conservation, given the urgent need to collect ecological information and promote management measures that ensure the survival of these species. The country was declared a shark sanctuary in 2011, but enforcing the protections has been challenging and rays were not protected under this legislation. The sawfish (a type of ray) is part of this unprotected group and currently in Honduras there are non species specific protections.

Aerial view of the complex network of rivers and lagoons in la Moskitia, the last refuge of the sawfish in Honduras. Photo: A. Mejia-Paniagua

Since I was a child, I had always heard about the existence of sawfish, but I was completely unaware these species could be found in Honduras! It was not until I went to the  university that I saw the rostra ( the distinctive “saw” that gives these magnificent creatures their name) of both species of sawfish for the first time.  From that moment, I discovered my interest in learning more and working with sawfish. The rostra I observed came from the region of la Moskitia, an area in Honduras recognized for its immense ecological and ancestral value. This area is home to the largest brackish lagoon system in the country, making it an ideal place for sawfish. However, access to this region is complex, many communities remain isolated and  can only be reached by river or small aircraft making any type of research in this areas complicated and costly.

Starting research focused on sawfish presented great difficulties. This is a species with records of local extinctions and increasingly rare sightings. Given the limited information available and the possibility that its presence is being underestimated, a crucial question arose at the beginning of this project: When was the last time a sawfish swam through the waters of Honduras? To try to answer this, we received financial support from the Sawfish Conservation Society through their annual Small Research Grant. With this help, we decided to collect sighting records through fisher surveys, a quick, economical, and efficient tool that allows us to gather data from many people in a short time.

In 2025, surveys were conducted in seven communities of la Moskitia with the aim of gathering traditional ecological knowledge and establishing a baseline on the historical and current presence of sawfish. Most of the people surveyed had never seen a sawfish before, while a considerable portion mentioned having seen one more than a decade ago! Only a small fraction reported recent sightings, corresponding to the past year. 

Conducting surveys in Barra Patuca, la Moskitia, Honduras. Photo: A. Mejia-Paniagua

Perhaps one of the most meaningful insights we learned was the profound cultural significance that sawfish hold for Miskito culture. One of the survey questions was: “Do you know of any myths or legends about sawfish?” Although many people said they did not know any, three comments stood out: an alleged accident in 1998, the belief that the sawfish attacked and cut boats, and its religious importance for some communities.

In fact, the sawfish, called twaina in Miskito, is part of the traditional spiritual practices of Pura Yapti, a spiritual ceremony held one year after the physical death of community members. It represents the third and final death of the person, the moment when the soul of the deceased passes to the afterlife to become rain. During this ceremony, the figure of Twaintara Yapti (big mother sawfish) appears, which possibly had, in its origin, a totemic meaning of protection and guidance. During the Pura Yapti procession, the phrase is chanted: Twaintara Yapti, Twaintara Yapti, kaisa balka mahka wappi (“big mother of the sawfish, big mother of the sawfish, come quickly, for we must begin to walk”).

Woman fisher. Fishing is one of the main sources of livelihood in Moskitia. Photo: A. Mejia-Paniagua

But returning to our main question, when was the last time a sawfish was seen in Honduras?; the most recent record dates from the first half of 2025. This finding is particularly significant, as it suggests that individuals still persist in the region, a glimmer of hope for a species that many believed to be locally extinct. However, it was not possible to determine with certainty which of the two known species the observed individual belonged to.

Beyond the simple fact itself, this record represents something far greater: a lingering presence, almost ghostly, that continues to inhabit the quiet rivers and lagoons of la Moskitia. Each testimony, each sighting, becomes a vital piece in rebuilding the living history of the sawfish in Honduras and a call to renew efforts for its conservation before its presence disappears completely.

During our research, we identified several possible factors contributing to the decline of sawfish populations in the region. Among the main causes are incidental captures in fishing nets, which continue to pose a serious threat to their survival, and the trade of their rostra, often sold as curiosities or traditional artifacts. In addition, the effects of climate change, and habitat degradation further weaken their already vulnerable ecosystems. Legal gaps and the lack of enforcement exacerbate the problem, allowing for continued exploitation and insufficient protection. Likewise, based on the analysis of various rostra collected in previous years, we identified a possible trade route originating in la Moskitia, Honduras’s main sawfish source, suggesting a historical and poorly regulated flow of specimens from this region to other areas.

Sawfish rostrum found in the city of Tela, Atlantida department;  originating from la Moskitia. Photo: Ludwing Sanchez.

These results highlight the importance of integrating local knowledge into conservation efforts and the need to continue with long-term monitoring strategies. The next steps of the project include applying environmental DNA techniques to confirm the presence of sawfish in selected water bodies, establishing a citizen science network that actively involves local fishers in data collection, and promoting the cultural revitalization of the sawfish as a symbol of identity in la Moskitia.

Part of the mural made in Brus Laguna, emphasizing the “twaina”. Photo: Alpha Sevilla

These surveys are the cornerstone of our efforts to protect one of the country’s most iconic and threatened species. Through them, we seek not only to collect information but also to revive the stories and the deep bond that local communities have long shared with these creatures. Searching for the sawfish in Honduras has felt like chasing a mythical, mysterious and incredibly rare creature. Yet its presence still lives on in people’s memories and traditional knowledge. That connection gives us hope that sawfish may still glide through the Caribbean waters of Honduras, especially in the winding lagoon systems of la Moskitia.

Written by : Alberto Mejia-Paniagua

Research Associate, ilili

alberto@ilili.org

2024 SCS Small Research Grant Recipient