The federal government has proposed a new rule to protect critical habitat for the Florida Keys’ most unique species and rare fish — the smalltooth sawfish.

Listed as endangered in 2003, the sawfish population has declined by 95 percent from its historical numbers, hovering around 2,000 today, said Shelly Norton, who worked on the recovery plan for National Marine Fisheries Service. Before 2003, the sawfish regularly was spotted from New York to Texas. Today, most are seen between the Everglades and the Keys.

The new protections, which were listed in the Federal Registry on Thursday, run along the southwestern coast of Florida, from Florida Bay north to Charlotte Harbor. The rule proposes to protect areas in Florida that are essential for the conservation and recovery of the sawfish, Norton said.

The federal government is accepting comments on the proposed critical habitat designation for the smalltooth sawfish for 60 days.

Source: http://keysnews.com/node/7 696