SHARKED Act of 2025

This legislation mandates the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Shark Depredation Task Force aimed at identifying and addressing critical needs related to shark depredation. The task force will comprise representatives from various fishery management bodies, coastal state agencies, and experts in shark behavior and ecology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the issue. Its primary goal is to improve coordination among fisheries management and shark research communities, identify key research priorities, and develop recommended management strategies. These priorities include understanding shark species involved, assessing stock levels, analyzing habituation to humans, and exploring angler behavior and regulatory impacts. The task force will also coordinate educational materials for the fishing community to minimize interactions and focus on techniques like non-lethal deterrents, the ecological role of sharks, and climate change impacts. Additionally, the bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to specifically include research projects aimed at better understanding and addressing shark depredation. The task force is required to report its findings to Congress biennially and will terminate seven years after its establishment.