Bill > HR207

This bill establishes a Shark Depredation Task Force to be created by the Secretary of Commerce, which will bring together representatives from Regional Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, state wildlife agencies, and marine research experts to address challenges related to shark interactions with human fishing activities. The task force will have broad responsibilities including developing strategies to improve communication between fisheries management and shark research communities, identifying research priorities about shark behavior and interactions, and creating recommended management strategies. Specific research focus areas include understanding how sharks become habituated to humans, analyzing stock assessments, exploring techniques to reduce harmful human-shark interactions, examining the role of shark populations in ocean ecosystems, and studying climate change impacts on shark populations. The task force will be required to submit reports to Congress every two years and will operate for a maximum of seven years. Additionally, the bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to explicitly support research projects aimed at understanding and addressing shark depredation (instances where sharks interfere with or damage fishing activities). The bill emphasizes a collaborative, scientific approach to managing shark interactions and does not alter existing marine conservation authorities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/207/all-info