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.
Read MoreSHARKED Act in Senate Committee- Act Now
Reintroduced into the House in spring 2024, the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 is supported by the recreational fishing industry and lobby bemoaning shark depredation on their catch. The bill could could have serious impacts on shark populations in all US waters. While ostensibly having Congress create a task force to examine shark depredation and human interactions, it has the potential to open protected areas or fishing for sharks. Without little scientific merit or credible support, the SHARKED Act language is a thinly veiled approach to open fishing on protected species and greenlight shark culls, tournaments and sportfishing for sharks in US waters.
Read MoreShark Depredation Act Introduced in Senate
This week, Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Supporting the Health of Aquatic Systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act. Sharks have declined by 71% worlwide since 1970, primarily due to overfishing. Shark Stewards is submitting comments and urging lawmakers to rely on scientists and fisheries managers, supporting stock assessment work and better, transparent data, and caution any shark management or culling decsions
Read More“Depredation” US Representatives Introduce SHARKED Act
The SHARKED Act sponsors widely represent the fishing industry including fishing guides and tournament organizers, who decry the partial or loss of their catch to a shark. The evidence that there is an increase in shark’s taking fish is anecdotal and not quantified.
Tell the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries to base decisions on Science and Management, Not Emotion.
Recreational Fishermen Catch Protected Sharks
On January 18, a young angler in Florida received the surprise of his life by catching a protected white shark and widespread news coverage benefits fishermen targeting protected sharks that take advantage of loopholes. Shark Stewards urges the Florida Fish and Willdife Conservation Commission to close loopholes allowing commercial charters to benefit by targeting protected sharks for sport and impact endangered and threatened sharks.
Read MoreSharktober: The White Sharks Return. Newsletter
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* View this email in your browser LATEST NEWS | CAMPAIGNS | GET INVOLVED DONATE It’s Sharktober! It’s that time again when the white sharks are returning to our Sanctuary […]
Read MoreFlorida Shark Fin Trade Bill: No Amendments
Because of its proximity to international waters and a relatively robust shark fishery in its own coastal ocean, Florida is now a major focal point for shark fins imports and […]
Read MoreFlorida Shark Fin Law Loses Teeth
Watered Down Shark Fin Law Will Increase Fines, but Allow Shark Fin Trade to Continue. April 24, 2017 Florida legislators side skirted an important shark conservation measure by weakening a […]
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