Federal law currently prohibits feeding sharks in the exclusive economic zone (the ocean area from 3 to 200 miles offshore) near Hawaii. This bill extends that same prohibition to the waters off Florida's coast by inserting Florida into the existing law alongside Hawaii. Shark feeding by tour operators and recreational divers has been a concern in Florida waters, where critics argue it can condition sharks to associate humans with food and alter their natural behavior. The prohibition is enforced under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary federal law governing U.S. ocean fishery management.
Congressional Summary
Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025This bill prohibits shark feeding in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) seaward of Florida for any purpose other than to harvest sharks, subject to limited exceptions. (Florida state waters generally extend 3 miles from the shore in the Atlantic Ocean and 9 miles from the shore in the Gulf of America. The EEZ is seaward of and adjacent to state waters and generally extends to 200 miles from the U.S. coastline.)Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to introduce, or attempt to introduce, food or any other substance into these waters to attract sharks for any purpose other than to harvest sharks. Exceptions allow shark feeding (1) for research programs funded by federal appropriations, or (2) to the extent that the feeding presents no public health hazard or safety risk (as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or under state law).
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to House
- Action Date
- 2026-05-20
- Date Added
- 2026-05-29
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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