IN FOCUS: SAWFISH RESEARCH PROJECT Saving the Blue’s Community Outreach and Education officer Khrysdovãn Carroll has worked with the nonprofit since 2020. Khrys was a student of The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), and during 2021 was offered many sponsored re- search opportunities with Saving the Blue that saw him present an impactful poster pre- sentation at a global research conference, and co-lead a scientific publication in a high-im - pact journal. Khrys’s ongoing project aims to improve smalltooth sawfish conservation in Andros through education, outreach, and in-situ data collection that bolsters community and national sup- port for species-specific legislation, protection of critical habitats, and the reduction of destructive practices.
Results:
- Saving the Blue described temporal and spatial patterns in sawfish distribution around Andros and identified key habitats for sawfish specific monitoring and potential protection. This work was published within a year of its creation. - The nonprofit developed a network that enables Androsians to report sawfish sightings independently of scientists to expand the infrastructure currently used to monitor sawfish in Andros. - Saving the Blue met with lead representatives from the Department of Marine Resources, Bahamas National Trust, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection and Baha- mas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute where they discussed the status of sawfish in the Bahamas, in additional to their work and findings. Smalltooth sawfish have since been included in latest fisheries recommendations to the Government from the Department of Marine Resources (pers. Comm Dr. Gittens).
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