S. 2314 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryTask force to study shark interference with fishing
The bill creates a task force within the Department of Commerce to study and solve the problem of sharks taking fish right off fishing lines before fishermen can reel them in. The task force will bring together fisheries managers, shark researchers, state fish agencies, and other experts to figure out better ways to prevent this, share information, and develop educational materials about the issue. They'll report their findings to Congress every two years for seven years.
How it affects you
Commercial and recreational fishermen who lose catches to sharks may eventually see new strategies or tools to reduce the problem, once the task force completes its research and makes recommendations. For most other people, this has no direct effect.
Read the official summary (Reported to Senate, Mar 4, 2026)
Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 or the SHARKED Act of 2025
This 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2314
A BILL
SHARKED Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) · Introduced Jul 16, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 4, 2026: “Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 349.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.