H.R. 207
SHARKED Act of 2025
In Plain Language
This bill creates a task force within the Commerce Department to study and find solutions for the problem of sharks eating fish right off fishing lines before they're pulled in. The task force will include fisheries managers, shark researchers, state agencies, and other experts who will coordinate research, develop strategies to reduce this problem, and share educational materials. The task force must report to Congress every two years and will automatically shut down after seven years.
Official Congressional Research Service summary
Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 or the SHARKED Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a task force to address and report to Congress about critical needs with respect to shark depredation. (Shark depredation is the partial or complete removal of a hooked fish by a shark directly from a fishing line before the line is retrieved.) The duties of the task force are, among other responsibilities, to (1) develop ways to improve coordination and communication across the fisheries management and shark research communities; (2) identify research priorities and funding opportunities; (3) develop recommended management strategies to address shark depredation; and (4) coordinate the development and distribution of educational materials.The bill specifies that the task force must include representatives of each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, the fish and wildlife agencies of coastal states, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The task force must also include researchers and others with relevant expertise.The task force must report its findings to Congress within two years after the bill's enactment and every two years thereafter until the task force is terminated. The task force sunsets within seven years after the date of its establishment.
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Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 22, 2025
Official source
Action history
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