SHARKED Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]
In Committee
Summary
Shark Depredation Task Force would coordinate research, management, and outreach to reduce shark interactions that damage catch and create safety and economic problems for fishers. The bill pairs a standing forum with targeted research and educational work to find non-lethal solutions and improve understanding of shark behavior and ecosystem roles.
Show full summary
- Fishing communities would receive coordinated educational materials and recommended changes to angler behavior and management to help minimize shark take and dangerous encounters, including development and use of non-lethal deterrents.
- Researchers and fisheries managers would get a central forum to set research priorities and pursue funding for studies on which shark species are involved, stock assessments, habituation to humans, effects of angler behavior and regulation, ecological roles of sharks, and climate-driven shifts in shark populations.
- Governance would include one representative from each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, a coastal State fish and wildlife agency rep for each council area, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and named scientific experts. The Task Force must report to Congress within 2 years and every 2 years after that and would terminate no later than 7 years after it is established.
Nothing in the bill changes the Secretary of Commerce’s responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New shark depredation task force
This bill would require the Commerce Secretary to set up a Shark Depredation Task Force. Membership would include regional fishery council representatives, each Marine Fisheries Commission, state coastal fish and wildlife agencies, NOAA Fisheries, and shark experts. The task force would identify research priorities, recommend management strategies, and develop educational materials. It would report to Congress within 2 years and every 2 years after, and would end no later than 7 years after it is established.
Shark depredation research program
This bill would authorize research projects to study shark depredation under existing fisheries law. Projects would focus on causes of increased depredation and ways to address it. The bill would create authority for coordinated studies and data sharing but does not set funding amounts. If enacted, researchers, fisheries managers, and fishing communities would likely get new studies and tools to reduce harmful shark interactions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov