The SHARKED Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Shark Depredation Task Force charged with identifying critical needs and coordinating research and mitigation efforts across the fisheries management and shark science communities. It also amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to add depredation research projects and requires biennial reports to Congress for seven years after establishment.
The bill includes a seven-year sunset and preserves existing authorities under the Endangered Species Act and the MSA.
At a Glance
What It Does
Establishes a Shark Depredation Task Force under the Secretary of Commerce to identify needs, coordinate research, and develop mitigation strategies. Adds depredation research projects to the MSA and requires biennial Congress reporting for seven years, with a seven-year sunset.
Who It Affects
Federal agencies (Secretary of Commerce, NMFS) and regional/state fisheries bodies, coastal States, and researchers participate; commercial and recreational fishermen in depredation-prone areas are targeted by outreach and mitigation efforts.
Why It Matters
Depredation reduces catch value and can threaten safety. A coordinated, data-driven approach should improve understanding, mitigation options, and messaging to fishing communities.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The SHARKED Act creates a Shark Depredation Task Force under the Department of Commerce that brings together federal, regional, and state fisheries managers with shark researchers. The goal is to identify what drives depredation, set research priorities, and develop practical mitigation strategies, including non-lethal tools, that can be used by fishermen.
The task force is also charged with coordinating educational materials to help the fishing community reduce interactions and adjust behaviors.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill creates a Shark Depredation Task Force under the Secretary of Commerce.
Task force membership includes Regional Fishery Management Councils, coastal state wildlife agencies, NMFS, and shark-management researchers.
It adds depredation research projects to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and prioritizes funding opportunities.
The task force must report to Congress every two years for seven years after it starts, then sunset.
The act does not alter authorities under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Short title
This act may be cited as the SHARKED Act of 2025. It establishes the policy goal of supporting the health of aquatic systems through coordinated research and dialogue on shark depredation.
Shark depredation task force—establishment and membership
The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a task force to identify and address critical needs regarding shark depredation. Members shall include one representative from each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, a coastal State fish and wildlife agency representative, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and experts in shark management and ecology. The group is designed to bridge fisheries management and shark research communities.
Responsibilities of the task force
The task force shall coordinate cross-cutting efforts among fisheries management and shark research communities, identify research priorities and funding opportunities, develop management strategies to address depredation, and coordinate the creation and distribution of educational materials to help the fishing community minimize interactions and adjust behavior and expectations.
Reporting
Not later than two years after enactment and every two years thereafter, the task force must submit a report to Congress detailing findings and progress, continuing until the sunset date. This creates an ongoing, structured evaluation of depredation research and mitigation efforts.
Sunset
The task force shall terminate not later than seven years after the date on which the Secretary establishes it, providing a finite window to demonstrate results and inform future policy decisions.
MSA amendment—depredation research projects
Section 318(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act is amended to add projects that improve understanding of shark depredation, including causes, trends, and effective mitigations, as an explicit category of authorized research under the act.
Effect
Nothing in this section alters the authority or responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ensuring existing statutory frameworks remain intact while new depredation work proceeds.
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Explore Environment in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Regional Fishery Management Councils gain a formal channel to coordinate depredation responses across their regions, improving consistency and data flow.
- National Marine Fisheries Service benefits from a consolidated set of research priorities and a clearer path for interagency collaboration.
- Coastal state wildlife and fisheries agencies gain integrated federal-state action and access to educational materials that aid fishermen in reducing depredation interactions.
- Academic researchers in shark management and ecology benefit from defined priorities and potential data sharing with federal and state partners.
- Commercial and recreational fishermen stand to benefit from clearer mitigation strategies and guidance arising from coordinated research.
Who Bears the Cost
- Federal agencies (Department of Commerce, NMFS) incur administrative and coordination costs to establish and operate the task force.
- State and regional agencies participate in meetings and data-sharing efforts, potentially increasing reporting and coordination requirements.
- Fishermen may incur costs for implementing depredation deterrents or adjusting fishing practices in response to new guidance.
- Researchers may need dedicated funding to carry out the new depredation projects and related studies.
- There is potential for duplication or inefficiency if coordination among many actors is not well managed.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is balancing the need for a robust, multi-jurisdictional research and mitigation program with the risk of creating unfunded administrative burdens on federal and state agencies, while giving the seven-year window necessary to demonstrate impact without committing to long-term, open-ended mandates.
The bill creates a structured mechanism for addressing depredation, but it raises practical questions about funding, coordination, and implementation. The seven-year sunset means agencies must translate initial findings into durable policy or face discontinuation of a formal, federally led effort.
Despite the authority preserved under the ESA and MSA, new depredation work will require sustained funding and interagency cooperation across federal, state, and regional bodies, which can be challenging given different budgets and priorities. The definition of a coastal state for purposes of the task force also extends to territories, which expands the scope and may complicate governance and resource allocation.
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