PALMETTO, Fla. ( WWSB ) — Thanks to a coordinated effort by researchers, volunteers, and concerned citizens, an endangered sawfish trapped in a lower Tampa Bay wetland is back in open water.

On Aug. 9, members of Havenworth Coastal Conservation ( HCC ), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ), NOAA Fisheries , local anglers, and volunteers converged on Bishop Harbor, near Palmetto. The team responded after reports from anglers of a large sawfish in the area.

Tonya Wiley, president of HCC and lead investigator for sawfish research in the greater Tampa Bay area, said the mission was urgent.

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“Given the dire state of the sawfish population, it was critical that we relocate this individual to ensure its abi

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