The status of sawfishes (family Pristidae), and indeed most sharks and rays, in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is largely unknown due to the paucity of detailed catch and observational records available, both historic and contemporary. This paper provides the first comprehensive review of the published and unpublished literature on sawfish records in PNG. It also collates information for all sawfish specimens in the holdings of museum and fisheries collections, dating back to the late 1800s. Opportunistic sampling during a shark and ray biodiversity project in PNG has resulted in contemporary records for all 4 sawfish species known to occur in the region (i.e. Anoxypristis cuspidata, Pristis clavata, P. pristis and P. zijsron) and identification of suitable habitat for the species across PNG. A review of the literature shows that declines in sawfish populations have occurred in a number of locations. Detailed surveys of the key areas highlighted in this study are urgently required to assess the current status of sawfish in PNG. This information is crucial for developing a global strategy for sawfish conservation and fisheries management, given the apparent persistence of all 4 Indo-Pacific species in PNG.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is geographically close to northern Australia, a key region for 4 sawfish species. However, detailed data on sawfish presence in PNG are limited, particularly from the north coast. We conducted a short study to assess whether sawfishes are still present in 2 adjacent rivers -the Sepik and Ramu -in northern PNG. Interviews were conducted with fishers from villages along the Sepik River between Chambri Lake and the river mouth, as well as along the Keram River (a tributary of the Sepik) and the Ramu River. Landings by gillnet fishers at the mouth of the Sepik River were observed. At least 2 species, the narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata and the largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis, were present at the mouth of the Sepik River and were caught in gillnets used to target sharks and croakers (Sciaenidae). Largetooth sawfish are still captured by fishers in the freshwater reaches of the Sepik, Ramu, and Keram rivers. The fins of sawfishes and other elasmobranchs provide a source of income, and sawfish meat is eaten locally or sold. The Sepik River and surrounding coastline remains important habitat for sawfishes; however, most interviewees reported a decline in sawfish catches over the course of their lifetimes. These findings corroborate existing evidence suggesting that PN G remains a global stronghold for sawfishes. Immediate collaboration with fishing communities and PNG's fisheries and conservation authorities is needed to ensure that any sawfish catches and habitats are appropriately managed so that populations do not decline further.

A checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of Madang District is presented, combining both previous and new records. After the recent PAPUA NIUGINI 2012 expedition, a total of 1337 species in 129 families have been recorded from the region. One species and one family is not native (Cichlidae: Oreochromis mossambicus), but has been introduced. The native fish fauna of Madang therefore consists of 1336 species in 128 families. The largest families are the Gobiidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae, Apogonidae, Serranidae, Blenniidae, Chaetodontidae, Syngnathidae and Muraenidae, Scorpaenidae and Lutjanidae, Myctophidae, Acanthuridae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Carangidae, Pomacanthidae and Tetraodontidae, and Caesionidae. A total of 820 fish species (61.4 % of the total marine and estuarine fish fauna) are recorded from Madang for the first time. The fish fauna of Madang includes a total of 187 species of transitional waters and 1326 species in marine habitats. A total of 156 species of the marine or estuarine species also occurs in freshwater. Zoogeographically, 1271 species have a wide distribution range, most frequently a broad Indo-West Pacific distribution. Among the remaining species, only 8 are endemic to Madang District. Anthropogenic threats to the fish fauna and habitats of Madang District include extensive fishing in Madang Lagoon, sometimes with destructive fishing practices; the discharge of untreated sewage of human settlements, mining and industrial developments into the lagoon and nearby oceanic habitats; and destruction of mangrove habitats by extensive construction work on the shores. These anthropogenic threats may call for conservation and monitoring measures in the near future.

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Sawfish (Pristidae) are considered to be among the most threatened families of elasmobranch (sharks and rays). There is a need to gather information on the status of poorly known sawfish populations to assist in global recovery initiatives. This study used interviews with local fishers to investigate the presence of sawfish in southern Papua New Guinea (PNG) and their interactions with and uses and values for small‐scale fishers. A range of sawfish size classes are still encountered throughout southern PNG, while juvenile largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis were additionally reported in the freshwater reaches of all rivers surveyed. Reports of large size classes in estuarine and marine environments provide an optimistic outlook that sawfish populations persist throughout southern PNG. Most fishers that catch sawfish retain them for various uses including consumption and for the sale of meat, fins and occasionally rostra. Negative population trends including decreases in catch frequency and/or size classes were reported by 66% of interviewees, with the largest declines being reported in the Kikori River. The increasing technical capacity of small‐scale fishers, their preference for gillnetting and the emerging market for teleost swim bladder (a high‐value fishery product) present a major ongoing threat to sawfish in southern PNG. Furthermore, the tendency of fishers to kill or remove rostra from entangled sawfish results in high fishing mortality regardless of any use by the fisher. This study indicates that considerable community engagement will be necessary to manifest any legislative actions or increased enforcement on international trade regulations for sawfish in PNG. This is due to traditional land and waterway ownership values throughout PNG and the local perception of sawfish as a traditional food resource rather than an animal of intrinsic biodiversity value as perceived by global conservationists. Future research should consider exploring culturally appropriate conservation initiatives that are likely to achieve engagement and participation from local fishers.