US SB2314

Secretary of Commerce must establish a Shark Depredation Task Force to identify and address critical needs related to sharks taking fish from fishing lines before anglers can land them

Task force membership includes representatives from all 8 Regional Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, coastal state wildlife agencies, National Marine Fisheries Service, and researchers with expertise in shark management, behavior, and ecology

Task force responsibilities include improving coordination between fisheries and shark research communities, identifying research priorities (species identification, stock assessments, shark habituation, non-lethal deterrents, climate impacts), developing management strategies, and distributing educational materials to anglers

Task force must submit reports to Congress every 2 years and terminates 7 years after establishment

Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to add shark depredation research as an eligible project category under Section 318(c)