Supporting the Health of Aquatic Systems Through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4051, the SHARKED Act, would establish a new task force led by the National Marine Fisheries Service to identify shark conservation needs and depredation research.

Sharks are critical to healthy ocean ecosystems.

As the apex predators of the ocean, they help shape marine food webs and are a key indicator of ocean health.

Many shark species are, unfortunately, also threatened or endangered.

Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by 71 percent since 1970, and three-quarters of these wide-ranging species are threatened.

While some shark populations are recovering, scientists predict that nearly 100 million sharks are still killed each year, and current levels of fishing pressure will cause the majority of shark populations to continue declining.

According to the IUCN, half of the coastal sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, primarily due to overfishing.

A fundamental lack of understanding of shark biology and ecological importance, combined with fear, was partially responsible for dramatic increases in the recreational harvest of sharks in the United States in the 1970s and the 1980s.

Any effort to address shark depredation, therefore, needs to be considered in light of recovering shark populations and the threats that sharks face from heightened fishing pressure and climate change.

Through the committee process, we have been able to significantly improve this legislation. However, I recognize there are still some legitimate concerns about whether this legislation goes far enough to ensure good outcomes for shark populations and is not a slippery slope towards increasing shark harvests.

I am grateful that the majority worked with us to amend the original bill text, ensuring that the focus is placed on changing angler behavior and managing expectations, as well as building out the scientific understanding of shark ecology and the impacts of climate change on predators and prey in the ocean.

Recently, Australian researchers found that the use of non-lethal deterrents and simple changes in angler behavior are proven to reduce the probability of sharks taking fish by 65 percent.

NOAA has funded similar studies in the United States but admitted in the legislative hearing on this bill that depredation research is complex and requires sustained investment due to the high intelligence and adaptability of sharks.

Notably, this bill doesn't include funding. Without it, NOAA will be unable to fund much more than what they are currently doing to address shark conservation and depredation.

I hope my colleagues who support this bill will also work with us to ensure robust funding for shark conservation priorities, like increased shark stock assessments.

This bill should promote greater collaboration between the fishing community and shark researchers to reduce risks to sharks and humans from depredation events and build out our understanding of the importance of sharks and how to conserve them.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I am prepared to close, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source