SHARKED Act Creates 7-Year Task Force to Study Shark-Fishery Conflict and Develop Non-Lethal Deterrents

The Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025—or the SHARKED Act—is all about tackling a specific, expensive problem for the fishing industry: sharks eating fish off the line or out of nets, a problem the bill calls "shark depredation." This isn’t about sensational headlines; it’s about economics and ecology. The bill’s core action is the creation of a temporary, seven-year Shark Depredation Task Force under the Secretary of Commerce, specifically designed to coordinate research and management solutions to this issue.

The Task Force: Who’s at the Table?

This isn't just a government-only committee. The bill, in Section 2, mandates that the Secretary of Commerce must pull in a wide range of expertise. We're talking representatives from every Regional Fishery Management Council, every Marine Fisheries Commission, and coastal state fish and wildlife agencies. Crucially, they also have to include real experts: a researcher focused on shark behavior, another specializing in shark ecology, and someone with experience managing highly migratory species. This broad representation is key because it ensures that the solutions developed aren't just academic theory but are informed by the people on the water and the scientists who understand the complex ocean ecosystem.

The Mission: Finding Non-Lethal Solutions

The task force has a clear mandate focused on practical outcomes. Their main job is to figure out what research is needed and how to fund it. This includes studying which shark species are causing the most issues, assessing those populations, and understanding why sharks are increasingly interacting with fishing gear. For the average person, the most important directive is the focus on developing and using non-lethal deterrents to reduce harmful interactions. Think of it like developing better bear-proof trash cans, but for sharks and fishing boats. They also need to study the role of healthy shark populations in the food web and how climate change might be shifting shark habitats, making sure any management strategy is ecologically sound.

Real-World Impact on Fisheries and Consumers

For commercial fishers and even recreational anglers, shark depredation is a direct hit to the wallet. If a shark takes a valuable tuna or snapper off the line, that’s lost revenue. By establishing this task force and amending Section 318(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to specifically fund this research, the SHARKED Act is directing resources to solve a tangible economic problem. The hope is that successful non-lethal deterrents will reduce financial losses for fisheries, which could, in turn, help stabilize prices for certain seafood items down the line. It’s a direct investment in the sustainability and profitability of the fishing sector.

The Fine Print and the Future

While the task force is temporary—it sunsets after seven years—it must report its findings to Congress every two years, starting within two years of its formation. This ensures accountability and a steady flow of data to lawmakers. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that creating this task force does not change the Secretary of Commerce’s existing authority under major conservation laws like the Endangered Species Act. This means the research and management recommendations must still operate within the existing framework that protects vulnerable species, ensuring that the focus on fisheries doesn't compromise necessary conservation efforts. The structure is set up for seven years of focused, collaborative problem-solving.