The SHARKED Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Commerce to set up a shark depredation task force and to add shark depredation projects to existing fisheries research authorities. The task force will include representatives from each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, coastal State fish and wildlife agencies, the National Marine Fisheries Service, experts in highly migratory species, and researchers with expertise in shark management, behavior, and ecology.
The task force must: improve coordination and communication between fisheries managers and shark researchers; identify research priorities such as which shark species are involved, stock assessments, shark habituation to humans, the influence of angler behavior and fisheries rules, non-lethal deterrents, sharks' role in food webs, and climate change impacts; develop recommended management strategies; and create and share educational materials for the fishing community. The task force must report to Congress within 2 years of being formed and every 2 years after that, and it will terminate no later than 7 years after it is established. The bill also amends an existing fisheries research provision to include projects specifically to better understand shark depredation.
No publicly available information on designated funding levels, budget estimates, or specific appropriations for establishing the task force or for the research projects is included in the bill text.
No publicly available information in the bill text about supporters' stated reasons or arguments.
No publicly available information in the bill text about opponents' stated reasons or arguments.