SHARKED Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 207
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:08:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The SHARKED Act of 2025 aims to address shark depredation—the phenomenon where sharks take fish from fishing lines or gear—by creating a federal task force to improve coordination, research, and management strategies. It seeks to enhance understanding of shark behavior, reduce harmful interactions with humans (especially anglers), and promote healthier ocean ecosystems without altering existing wildlife protection laws.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Shark Depredation Task Force:
- Directed by the Secretary of Commerce (through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA).
- Focuses on identifying needs related to shark depredation and fostering collaboration between fisheries managers and shark researchers.
- Task Force Membership:
- Includes one representative from each Regional Fishery Management Council, Marine Fisheries Commission, coastal state fish and wildlife agency, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
- Also includes experts in highly migratory species management, shark behavior, and shark ecology.
- Coastal states are defined broadly to include U.S. states and territories bordering major oceans or the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam).
- Task Force Responsibilities:
- Improve communication across fisheries and research communities.
- Identify research priorities and funding needs, such as:
- Determining shark species involved in depredation.
- Assessing shark populations (stock assessments).
- Studying how sharks adapt to human presence or how fishing rules and angler habits affect interactions.
- Developing non-lethal deterrents to reduce shark-human conflicts.
- Examining sharks' role in ocean food chains and climate change effects on shark behavior and prey.
- Recommend strategies for managing depredation.
- Create and distribute educational materials for anglers to minimize interactions through behavior changes and realistic expectations.
- Reporting and Duration:
- The task force must submit reports to Congress within 2 years of enactment and every 2 years thereafter.
- Terminates 7 years after establishment.
- Research Funding:
- Authorizes projects under existing federal programs to study causes of shark depredation and ways to mitigate it.
- Limitations:
- Explicitly states that the act does not change the Secretary of Commerce's duties under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (key laws for protecting marine life and regulating fishing).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 318(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (a 1976 law governing U.S. fisheries) by adding a new provision for funding research projects specifically on shark depredation.
- This expands eligible research topics under existing grant programs without creating new funding sources or altering core fishery management rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: NOAA and NMFS will lead the task force and coordinate research, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving inter-agency and state-federal collaboration on marine issues. Regional councils and commissions gain a structured forum for input.
- On Citizens: Recreational and commercial anglers in coastal areas may benefit from educational resources and deterrents, reducing lost catches and frustration from shark interactions. Broader public awareness could promote safer fishing practices and ecosystem health.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though research on highly migratory sharks (which cross borders) could indirectly support U.S. participation in international fishery agreements by providing better data for shared management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Fisheries Managers and Agencies: Regional Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, NMFS, and coastal state wildlife agencies, who provide members and implement recommendations.
- Researchers and Experts: Specialists in shark ecology, behavior, and migratory species, involved in prioritizing and conducting studies.
- Fishing Community: Anglers and commercial fishers, who receive education and strategies to address depredation.
- Coastal Residents and Territories: Residents in U.S. states and territories (e.g., Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico) affected by shark-fishery interactions.
- Environmental Groups: Indirectly involved through emphasis on healthy shark populations and climate impacts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal authority over marine resources under the Commerce Clause (which allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce, including fisheries) without conflicting with species protection laws. The sunset clause ensures temporary oversight, avoiding permanent bureaucracy.
- Constitutional: No major challenges anticipated, as it builds on established federal marine management frameworks and involves cooperative federalism (sharing roles with states).
- Political: Promotes bipartisan priorities like sustainable fishing and wildlife research in coastal districts. Could set a precedent for task forces on emerging environmental issues like climate-driven species shifts, potentially influencing future appropriations for NOAA programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-01-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-01-21: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H240-241)
- 2025-01-21: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H240-241)
- 2025-01-21: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 207.
- 2025-01-21: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H240-242)
- 2025-01-21: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-21 — PDF (8 pages)
- Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (5 pages)
- Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-22 — PDF (6 pages)