WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Senate committee has advanced a bill aimed at solving a unique problem facing both recreational and commercial fishermen: sharks snatching hooked fish before they’re reeled in.
The bipartisan legislation, dubbed the SHARKED Act (Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue), would create a national task force to study “shark depredation” and develop non-lethal strategies to reduce the growing conflicts between anglers and ocean predators.
The task force would include federal agencies, marine biologists, conservationists, and industry stakeholders.
Supporters say depredation has become a serious economic issue for coastal fisheries and charter operators, particularly in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hawaii.
But the bill has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates. Earthjustice warned that while the SHARKED Act doesn't authorize shark culling or new fishing methods, it also doesn't prohibit them - and the current version excludes tribal nations and Indigenous communities from the conversation, despite their cultural ties to marine ecosystems.
The legislation passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Lawmakers say the goal is to strike a balance between protecting sharks - a vital part of the ocean’s health - and helping fishermen avoid becoming unwilling participants in nature’s version of a seafood buffet.
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