January 27, 2026
To the Members of the United States Senate,
We, the undersigned—a coalition of divers, surfers, kayakers, fishermen, swimmers and ocean recreationists write to express our urgent concern regarding the SHARKED Act (H.R. 207 / S. 2314). While the bill is framed as a research initiative to address “shark depredation,” we fear it serves as a legislative “Trojan Horse” for the recreational fishing lobby to roll back decades of shark conservation.
The Lobby Behind the Legislation
The push for this Act is driven by powerful special interests, including the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and the Center for Sportfishing Policy. These groups have successfully lobbied lawmakers—specifically Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Marc Veasey (D-TX), as well as Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Brian Schatz (D-HI)—to advance a narrative that shark populations are “over-recovered” and interfering with their catch.
Risks to Vulnerable Species
The vague language of the SHARKED Act threatens to open the door to management strategies that would decimate protected populations:
- Atlantic Shortfin Makos: Reopening fishing for this protected species despite their slow recovery.
- Great Hammerheads: Targeted “mitigation” in Florida waters where they frequent bonefish and tarpon flats.
- Shark Culls: The potential for state-sanctioned culls in the Gulf of Mexico under the guise of “reducing interactions.”
- Great White Sharks: Allowing the attraction and fishing of whites on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
- Oceanic Whitetips: Potentially greenlighting the killing of these critically endangered sharks in Hawaii and the Western Pacific.
Science vs. Anecdote
There is a profound lack of scientific data to support the claim that shark depredation rates are rising due to increased shark numbers. In reality, shifts in ocean currents and the decline of offshore prey (such as menhaden and mackerel) are pushing sharks closer to shore in search of food. According to a study published in Global Change Biology (and reinforced by research from the University of Miami), warming sea surface temperatures are shifting the distribution of apex predators, creating a false perception of “overpopulation” in coastal areas.
Our Recommendations
Instead of reactionary culls, we urge Congress to prioritize the following:
- Increase NOAA Funding: Provide the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) with the resources needed for robust, unbiased stock assessments.
- Support Independent Research: Fund studies into non-lethal deterrents and the environmental drivers of shark movement.
- Scientific Representation: Ensure that any task force created has equal representation from the scientific and conservation communities, not just fishing interests.
Conclusion: Why Sharks Matter
Sharks are the architects of our oceans. As apex predators, they maintain the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are vital for the carbon sequestration we need to fight climate change. Globally, sharks face an extinction crisis; the U.S. should be a leader in protection, not a pioneer in new ways to kill them.
We stand with Shark Stewards in opposing any legislation that prioritizes short-term fishing convenience over the long-term health of our planet.
Take Action: We urge you to Sign the Shark Stewards Petition to demand science-based conservation over industry-led culls.