A Senate committee this week will mark up a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing sharks from eating sport fish off active fishing lines.
S. 2314, the “Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act,” is sponsored by Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). It will get a vote in the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
Shark depredation is the phenomenon in which sharks advance on fishing vessels to devour hooked fish before they are fully reeled in. It has drawn concern in some ocean areas where the predators are abundant and possibly habituated to hunt near fishing boats, experts say.
Charter boat companies, their clients and other stakeholders have become increasingly frustrated by the sharks, at times leading to dangerous and illegal interactions.
