SHARKED Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2314
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SHARKED Act of 2025 aims to address shark depredation—where sharks take fish from fishing lines or hooks—by creating a federal task force to coordinate efforts, identify research needs, and develop strategies to reduce harmful interactions between sharks and humans, particularly anglers. It promotes better understanding of shark behavior and ecology while supporting sustainable fisheries management.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Shark Depredation Task Force:
- The Secretary of Commerce must create a task force to tackle critical issues related to shark depredation.
- Membership: Includes one representative from each Regional Fishery Management Council (groups that oversee regional fishing rules), each Marine Fisheries Commission (interstate bodies for fishery coordination), the fish and wildlife agency of each coastal state, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (a federal agency under the Department of Commerce). It also includes experts in managing highly migratory species (fish like sharks that travel long distances), shark management and behavior, and shark ecology.
- Responsibilities:
- Improve coordination and communication between fisheries managers and shark researchers.
- Identify research priorities and funding opportunities, covering topics like shark species involved, population assessments, how sharks learn to approach humans, influences of angler habits and fishing rules, non-lethal deterrence methods (ways to scare sharks without harming them), the role of healthy shark populations in ocean ecosystems, and climate change effects on shark movements and behavior.
- Develop recommended strategies for managing shark depredation.
- Create and share educational materials to help anglers reduce shark interactions through changes in behavior and realistic expectations.
- Reporting and Duration: The task force must submit reports to Congress within 2 years of enactment and every 2 years after, until it ends 7 years after establishment.
- Definition: "Coastal State" includes states bordering the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, or Gulf of Mexico, plus territories like Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
- Research Projects on Shark Depredation:
- Adds a new provision to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (a key U.S. law for managing fisheries) to fund projects studying causes of increased shark depredation and effective ways to address it.
- Limitations:
- The Act does not change the Secretary of Commerce's duties under the Endangered Species Act (which protects threatened wildlife) or the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 318(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by adding shark depredation research as an eligible project area. This expands federal funding opportunities for fisheries-related studies without altering core management authorities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Commerce (via the National Marine Fisheries Service) will lead task force operations, requiring coordination across federal, state, and regional bodies, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving data sharing on marine issues.
- Citizens: Anglers and coastal communities may benefit from educational tools and reduced shark-fisher conflicts, leading to fewer lost catches and safer fishing. It could also enhance public awareness of shark ecology and conservation.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though research on highly migratory species like sharks could indirectly support U.S. participation in international fishery agreements by providing better data for shared ocean management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Secretary of Commerce and National Marine Fisheries Service (task force leadership and research implementation).
- Regional and State Bodies: Regional Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, and coastal state fish and wildlife agencies (mandatory representation and input).
- Experts and Researchers: Specialists in shark management, behavior, and ecology (task force members and research beneficiaries).
- Fishing Community: Commercial and recreational anglers (direct recipients of education and management strategies to minimize depredation).
- Broader Public: Coastal residents and conservation groups interested in healthy ocean ecosystems.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing fishery laws without overriding protections for endangered species, ensuring compliance with federal conservation mandates. The 7-year sunset clause provides a temporary structure, allowing evaluation before permanence.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over interstate commerce and natural resources (Article I, Section 8), focusing on federal coordination of shared marine resources without infringing on state rights.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Senators from Florida and Hawaii) highlights regional interests in coastal economies and tourism. It promotes non-lethal approaches, potentially appealing to environmental advocates while addressing practical concerns for the fishing industry, fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-114.
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-114.
- 2025-07-30: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-07-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-07-16: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (5 pages)
- Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 — issued 2026-03-04 — PDF (8 pages)