Fixing the issue of Shark Depredation: Congress Passes SHARKED Act

Ask any offshore angler concerning the enhance in shark assaults on hooked fish they usually’ll most likely let you know it’s gotten out of hand. Jake Donner is a type of anglers. Donner fishes  the Gulf of Mexico for Purple Snapper and says one thing must be completed. “When your complete technique for the day revolves round dodging sharks, one thing is incorrect with the administration of those fish,” Donner mentioned. “We’re dropping almost half our fish to sharks proper now. It’s such a waste.” Donner is only one of many who’re applauding the newest step ahead within the try to regulate the shark inhabitants alongside the coastal US.

With no friction, the bipartisan SHARKED Act, launched by Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA.), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Garret Graves (R-LA), and Darren Soto (D-FL.) unanimously cleared the chamber.

The Act will set up a job power to work with fisheries administration teams to handle the issues posed by elevated shark depredation and determine analysis and funding alternatives for bettering the present circumstances of shark depredation.

“As a lifelong fisherman and former marine scientist, I’ve skilled firsthand the impacts of shark depredation and have witnessed its impact on our marine ecosystem,” mentioned Congressman Wittman. “With the passage of my SHARKED Act right this moment, we’re taking vital steps to preserve our marine life and defend sharks from unsafe circumstances and meals sources. At a time when Washington is commonly paralyzed with partisan gridlock, it’s refreshing and inspiring to see bipartisan efforts just like the SHARKED Act advance by the Home. I urge my colleagues within the Senate to move this piece of laws so the president can signal it into legislation.”

The American Sportfishing Affiliation is a number one group that’s on board with the SHARKED Act. Mike Leonard is the vp of presidency affairs of the ASA and mentioned, “Right this moment’s motion by the U.S. Home of Representatives to unanimously move the SHARKED Act is an illustration of the breadth of help for this vital invoice,” mentioned Leonard. “Saltwater leisure fishing is a big a part of the nation’s financial system, contributing $73.8 billion in gross sales impacts and supporting 487,000 U.S. jobs. In lots of components of the nation, shark depredation is among the prime issues of the leisure fishing neighborhood. We’re grateful to Reps. Wittman, Soto and the opposite invoice sponsors for advancing the SHARKED Act, which is able to assist develop considerate and significant methods to mitigate this sophisticated problem.”

The SHARKED Act now strikes on to the Senate and if signed into legislation by President Biden, will lastly be capable of put collectively a job power to raised perceive points associated to elevated shark depredation in U.S. fisheries and discover alternatives for bettering present circumstances.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award successful out of doors journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Impartial Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith electronic mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com