Our new SCS blog highlights Nikki Biskis, a student in sawfish research, studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in Queensland, Australia. After completing a Masters in medical science, Nikki came over to the ‘shark side’ for her Ph.D. For her research, Nikki works closely with Sharks And Rays Australia (SARA) and helped lead their Sawfish Display Project (see https://www.sharksandraysaustralia.com/deliveries/). She is currently using sawfish sightings (new and old) in her research so if you have a sawfish saw or photo from Queensland Australia, its associated data can be used in research (see https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/marine-life/old-photos-provide-key-details-in-bid-to-save-sawfish/). Check out our new SCS blog below to learn how Nikki got into sawfish research and about some of her wild field experiences working in northern Australia.
Barbara and I working up a freshwater whipray in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, together with the Laura Aboriginal Land and Sea rangers.
1. Can you briefly explain where you are currently studying, whom you are working with, and what your research will be focusing on?
I am a Ph.D. candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia. My supervisors are Dr. Kathy Townsend (USC), Dr. Barbara Wueringer (Sharks And Rays Australia), and Dr. Bonnie Holmes (USC) – three absolute legends in elasmobranch research. My research is focused on quantifying how distributions of four species of sawfish have changed over time in Queensland. This includes identifying both current and historic hotspots, measuring population decline and species composition shifts, and potentially correlating to threats they are facing. I’m doing this through a combination of fieldwork and accessing newspaper articles, museum records, and sightings submissions from the public.
The Mackay expedition had its perks! This gorgeous shot taken by the talented Johnny Gaskell.
2. How did you get involved with sawfish research? Have you always wanted to work with elasmobranchs?
It started with an internship with Barbara at SARA! I had just finished a field assistant position recording songs from grey fantails in Victoria (random) and was not ready to go back to the US yet. Around 200 saws had been donated either privately or through Fisheries Queensland to Sharks And Rays Australia, and Barbara was looking for someone to take on the task of getting them displayed across Queensland (https://saveourseas.com/update/display-cases-are-underway/). Two years later we’ve got 40 cases up, and almost 50 posters (https://www.sharksandraysaustralia.com/deliveries/). Between them all, that’s over 100 saws displayed for the first time in an educational format – changing the language around sawfish, and making them more than just another trophy on the wall of a pub.
*Possession of any sawfish parts, including the saw, is illegal in Queensland. If you have a saw, contact Fisheries to learn how to surrender yours without risk of being fined.
One of our displays makes it to the Kowanyama Ranger Base.
3. What is your favorite thing to tell people about sawfish?
I’m biased because I work on distributions and spend a lot of my time in GIS and Google Earth, but I like telling people about a sawfish that was caught in their hometown. It’s not so much the case in northern towns like Cairns, but people don’t expect sightings in highly populated areas, such as the Gold Coast. I love showing people a photo from a river local to them – the Brisbane River, the Nerang River. I think it changes peoples’ mindset of being disconnected from these animals. It shifts the dialogue from sawfish being some ancient relic that used to live up north to another local icon that is disappearing. It’s important for people to hear how species distribution has changed dramatically within the last few generations, and that this is something that we have the ability and responsibility to change.
4. What would you say is the most difficult aspect of your research?
Working with threatened species can be disheartening. I’ve probably held around 800 saws but have only seen one sawfish in the wild. The flip side of this is that my supervisors are very positive and practical people and direct me toward research avenues that have potential to create real change. It’s both scary and inspiring that the future of these animals is in the hands of people.
Rinyirru gets hot – can’t let melted ice from the esky go to waste.
5. Can you tell us the story of the first time you encountered a sawfish in the wild? If you have not seen a sawfish in the wild, which one are you most interested in seeing and why?
It was my 3rd trip up to Cape York, and we were 2 days from the end of the expedition. I had made a joke that morning that I didn’t even believe sawfish were real anymore. We’d sampled two whiprays that morning, and Barbara and I were covered in mud. Then, as one of the Rangers was pulling in her line, I hear “Sawfish!” and the whole team jumped into action. One of the guys was sprinting with the cradle down the bank, and it felt like only 10 seconds, and I was there with the sampling gear laid out. I remember thinking she was so tiny in real life. After she was released, we were all just buzzing.
Turns out sawfish are real – Rinyirru NP, 2021.
6. Can you share one of your favorite field stories with us?
On the June trip, one of the utes lost a wheel. I was looking out of the window and just saw a wheel flying down the dirt road. It felt like an out of body experience. And then the ute lurched to the left and came to a stop. Everyone was fine. The person who had put himself in charge changing a previous flat, hadn’t tightened the nuts completely, and now we were stuck on the side of the road, 300km to the nearest town. To make matters worse, between 6 people and 2 jacks, we could not find a jack point for the life of us, as the tray was made of aluminium.
Then a truck transporting a LITERAL CRANE to Kowanyama stopped and asked if we needed any help. Steve, our guardian angel, just lifted the back end of the ute in the air, so we could get the second spare on. Then, he pulled out his water colours to show us. I’m not making this up. He was extremely talented.
Steve saves the day! That’s me with the tire, trying to comprehend this situation. This was my first field expedition.
Steve shows us his paintings.
7. What advice do you have for students who want to work with elasmobranchs in the future?
Get in the field! There are so many opportunities to volunteer on PhD and Honours projects that can provide insight into what research questions matter to you. I wish I had started doing field work earlier on. I would also recommend working with a variety of species – not just sharks and rays. It’s useful to see what techniques work best for different animals, and the types of adjustments that must be made in other environments.
Bringing up the net – Mackay, 2021.
The work described above is funded by the Queensland Governments’ Citizen Science Grant, The Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant, funding by the Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation, and Save Our Seas Foundation (Small Grant).
