The thrill of encountering a rare and endangered species is an experience that few people get to enjoy. It’s a moment that can leave you in awe, realizing how precious and fragile our ecosystem is. For one lucky group, however, that dream became a reality when they accidentally caught a sawfish while fishing off the coast of the United States.

Sawfish are a type of shark that are so rare and endangered that they are the only shark species on the endangered species list in the United States. This means that tagging and sampling of these animals is strictly prohibited, making accidental catches like this one all the more exciting.

For those who are unfamiliar with sawfish, they are truly incredible creatures. With their long, saw-like snouts and massive bodies, they look like something straight out of a prehistoric era. In fact, some people even refer to them as “living dinosaurs.”

Unfortunately, sawfish populations have been declining rapidly in recent years due to overfishing and habitat destruction. This makes encounters like the one described in this article all the more special.