Shark depredation is a serious problem. Shark-angler interactions are not only frustrating—they are dangerous.
Conservation measures taken over the past 20 years have resulted in some of the healthiest shark populations seen in several decades. A consequence of this recovery has been the rapidly increasing interactions between flats fish and other species with sharks.
The SHARKED Act will establish a task force of fisheries managers and shark experts responsible for addressing shark depredation (the full or partial removal of a hooked fish by a shark before it is landed). This will be the first step in building our knowledge to improve management and mitigate depredation nationally.
The Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act was introduced in the US Senate by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Rick Scott (R-FL) on July 22, 2025. The bill passed the US House on January 21, 2025, after being reintroduced by Representatives Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Garret Graves (R-La.) and Marc Veasey (D-Tex.) in 2025.
The SHARKED Act focuses on shark depredation by establishing a task force comprised of fisheries managers and shark experts responsible for improving coordination and communication across the fisheries management community on shark depredation. The task force will identify research priorities and funding opportunities to limit depredation throughout the country. In June 2023, BTT co-signed a letter with 14 like-minded organizations thanking the SHARKED Act’s congressional sponsors for introducing the bill and highlighting our support of the legislation. The bill represents the first step towards mitigating shark depredation nationally and building foundational knowledge that can be used to improve future management, education and research actions.
Over the past decade, BTT has been at the forefront of this issue. BTT advocacy on Boca Grande Pass helped lead to state prohibitions on break away jigs, and depredation studies at Western Dry Rocks led to a seasonal no-fishing closure that is critical to the protection of spawning permit.
A new project now underway in the Florida Keys will study shark interactions by location, season and fishing method. The results will help inform future management decisions, including ways to reduce shark and angler interactions, and limit impacts to our valuable fishery. Learn more.
