SHARKED Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
The bill directs the Department of Commerce to convene a shark depredation task force with representatives from Regional Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, coastal state fish agencies, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and shark researchers. The task force must identify research priorities, funding needs, management strategies, and education materials, then report to Congress every two years before terminating within seven years.
Who Benefits and How
Recreational anglers benefit because the task force studies non-lethal deterrents, angler behavior, and education that can reduce shark interactions with hooked fish. Commercial fishermen benefit because federal fishery managers would collect better evidence on shark depredation that damages catch and gear. Regional Fishery Management Councils benefit from a formal coordination body for research priorities and management strategies. Shark researchers benefit because the bill identifies research areas such as shark habituation, stock assessments, ecology, and climate effects. The National Marine Fisheries Service benefits from structured advice and reports that can inform federal fishery policy.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Commerce fisheries staff must establish and administer the task force, coordinate across councils and commissions, and support biennial reports. Coastal state fish agencies must provide expertise and participate in a multi-jurisdictional shark-management process. Task force members must identify research priorities, develop management strategies, and produce education materials for fishing communities. Congressional committees must review recurring reports on shark depredation and research needs.
Key Provisions
- Establishes a shark depredation task force under the Secretary of Commerce.
- Requires membership from fishery councils, marine commissions, coastal state fish agencies, NMFS, and shark experts.
- Directs the task force to identify research priorities, funding opportunities, management strategies, and fishing-community education materials.
- Requires reports to Congress every two years and terminates the task force within seven years.
- Adds shark depredation research to Magnuson-Stevens fishery project categories.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Creates a Commerce-led shark depredation task force and adds shark depredation research to Magnuson-Stevens fishery research priorities so managers, scientists, and fishing communities can coordinate on shark interactions with fishing gear and catches.
Key Policy Areas
Fisheries, Science
Primary Purpose
Creates a Commerce-led shark depredation task force and adds shark depredation research to Magnuson-Stevens fishery research priorities so managers, scientists, and fishing communities can coordinate on shark interactions with fishing gear and catches.
Policy Domains
Bill provisions
Identified Gains
- Recreational anglers
- Commercial fishermen
- Regional Fishery Management Councils
- Shark researchers
- National Marine Fisheries Service
Identified Costs
- Department of Commerce fisheries staff
- Coastal state fish agencies
- Task force members
- Congressional committees
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz …
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. …
Reported by Mr. Cruz, without amendment
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported …
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, …
Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Department of Commerce fisheries staff, Regional Fishery Management Councils
Positive-direction: Regional Fishery Management Councils
Negative-direction: Department of Commerce fisheries staff
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "secretary"
- → Secretary of Commerce
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology