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Saw saviours host free day

Sound Telegraph
Tim, Jess and Evan Nicol with the sawfish installation last year.
Camera IconTim, Jess and Evan Nicol with the sawfish installation last year. Credit: Nancye Miles-Tweedie/Nancye Miles-Tweedie

Rockingham will celebrate International Sawfish Day on Saturday with a free, family-friendly event to help save a fish as ancient as the dinosaurs.

The event at Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environmental Centre will raise awareness of the critically endangered freshwater sawfish, found in the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River.

A 7m sawfish art installation will feature as well as a sawfish colouring-in competition, showbags and a sawfish-shaped cake.

The Kimberley — Like Nowhere Else campaign co-ordinator Monique Barker said the freshwater sawfish was the unofficial mascot of the Fitzroy River and represented how important the river was for wildlife, the environment and community.

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“Sawfish have been around since the time of dinosaurs and are unique and fascinating creatures,” she said.

“Sadly, sawfish numbers are in decline and have disappeared by more than 70 per cent globally, with the Fitzroy River their last stronghold, providing critical habitat.

“On International Sawfish Day, we’re celebrating just how important the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River is for the survival of critically endangered sawfish.”

Ms Baker said the sawfish celebration was being brought to Rockingham in recognition of the State Government’s commitment to protect the Fitzroy River and “not allow it to be dammed”.

“The spectacular 7-metre sawfish model demonstrates the impressive size sawfish can grow to if they survive the threats from habitat destruction, climate change and fishing pressure,” she said.

The free event is from 10.30-11.30am. For more information click here

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