The bill establishes a task force to address shark depredation, including members from various fishery management councils and agencies. This task force is responsible for developing coordinated strategies to address shark depredation, identifying research priorities and funding opportunities, and submitting reports to Congress every two years. Additionally, the bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to include projects to better understand shark depredation. The Act does not affect the authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Commerce under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
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.
