I appreciate your interest in the Small tooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Unfortunately, the numbers of Sawfish that are left are rapidly diminishing due to loss of habitat. With most Small tooth Sawfish mainly residing off the coast of 
(http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/STSawfish/sawfish.JPG)
Even though these fish are more common in shallow water and estuaries, they are also known to exist in cooler, deeper waters. I think it would be interesting to use DN Fingerprinting to look at the difference between the shallow water Small tooth Sawfish and the Sawfish that reside in deeper waters. Also, we could look at the differences in the fresh water and salt water Sawfish as well. It might be interesting to see if one is healthier than the other and if there was a way to get these creatures to breed in other areas that would provide a better habitat. One way to observe the effects of this idea is the Pacu project located at http://www.ology.amnh.org/genetics/aroundtheworld/pages/pacu.html. With the Pacu project, scientists were able to take pieces of the Pacu’s fins from different bodies of water and examine their distinct differences. This would tell them which areas were better suited for the fish to breed in. By doing this the scientist would possibly be able to save the Pacu from extinction.
To the Society for Genetic Modification of the Small tooth Sawfish:
I am pleased to hear about your interest in the genetic engineering of the Small tooth Sawfish.
As you have learned from my documentary, Small tooth Sawfish have a snout or rostrum that makes up at least a quarter of their body. All around this snout are teeth that protrude from the sides. Even though the species uses their teeth for hunting and protection purposes, they are also the main reason these fish are often caught in the nets of shallow fishermen. I propose that we work with genetic engineering to find a way to shorten the snout of the Small tooth Sawfish.
In humans scientists were able to discover that the pituitary gland is responsible for growth. Sometimes there is a problem with the pituitary gland and it can cause a person to be shorter or taller than the average human. Even though I am not sure if it is possible, I think that scientists could look at possible glands or genes that could be responsible for the growth of the snout in a Small tooth Sawfish. Once the gene is identified we could begin research on how to decrease the size of the snout. I think this would be very helpful to the Sawfish because the snout would be more maneuverable and there would be less of a chance for them to get caught in fisherman nets.
Even though a smaller snout could be helpful to the Sawfish it could also be harmful as well. With a smaller snout this could be more dangerous for the fish when it comes to protection. A big reason that the rostrum is so good for protection is because it looks scary (2). With a smaller snout predators may be less intimidated or afraid and more likely to attack.
Little steps like locating a gene responsible for the growth of the snout could be stepping stones in the repopulation of the Small tooth Sawfish.
Sources:
(1) NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources. Small tooth Sawfish. 1 Apr. 2003. 31 March 2007.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/smalltoothsawfish.htm
(2) Passarelli, Nancy. Curtis, Tobey.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/STSawfish/STSawfish.html
(3) Oology. The Gene Scene: How to Avoid a Pacu Snafu. 31 March 2007.
http://www.ology.amnh.org/genetics/aroundtheworld/pages/pacu.html
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