WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody is working to protect Florida’s fishing industry from shark attacks on hooked fish, also known as shark depredation. Senator Moody is pushing the SHARKED Act to find out why and what can be done to prevent fish on the line from being eaten before they can be reeled in the boat. The bipartisan SHARKED Act would create a task force comprised of experts to research and address this growing issue.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “Encounters between sharks and anglers are on the rise, affecting catch for food, safety of anglers, and balance of fisheries. I’m proud to support the SHARKED Act to find ways we can mitigate these challenges and keep Florida’s fishing and tourism economy strong.”
According to a recent study 77% of saltwater anglers in North America experienced shark depredation. Another report found that 43% of Florida fishers lost fish to sharks or other predators—depending on the location and season, the probability of experiencing this ranged from 10-60% of fishing trips.
The bipartisan SHARKED Act, also known as the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025, directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force to address shark depredation. The task force would include members from the fisheries management community and researchers with expertise in shark management and ecology to develop ways to address depredation.
Read bill text here.
Senator Moody is joining Senator Rick Scott in the effort to protect Florida’s fishermen and tourists. The legislation is ready for a floor vote in the U.S. Senate. The House version has passed swiftly in the House for the second consecutive Congress, with a bipartisan majority.