YourVoice.Now Summary
EnvironmentTransparency & AccountabilitySets up a federal task force on sharks stealing anglers' catch — advice only, no new rules.
Environment
Commerce would pick fishery officials, state wildlife staff, and shark scientists for the group. Their job is to find out why sharks take hooked fish, and what could reduce it.
A federal grant program for fishing research could now pay for work on sharks taking hooked fish. The bill adds no new money, so these projects would compete with ones already in line.
Transparency & Accountability
The task force would tell Congress what it learns every two years, starting within two years of the law taking effect. There is no such report today.
The group would close no later than seven years after Commerce sets it up. Its reports would stop then too, unless Congress extends it.
More about this bill
Most people would see no change in daily life. If you fish, you may know the problem. A shark bites your catch off the line before you can reel it in. A new federal task force would study why this keeps happening and what could cut it down. Members would include federal and state fishery officials, regional council reps, and shark scientists. The group could only recommend, not set rules. It would look at non-lethal ways to keep sharks off the line, and help write guides for anglers. A report would go to Congress within two years, then every two years after that. The task force would shut down no later than seven years after it starts. Shark research would also become eligible under an existing fishery grant program, but no new money comes with it. Protections for sharks under the Endangered Species Act would stay as they are.
Congressional 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.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.
- Action Date
- 2026-03-04
- Date Added
- 2026-04-09
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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