H.R.3831 - Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3831, the Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025, aims to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The amendment would prohibit the feeding of sharks in the exclusive economic zone off the coast of Florida. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Webster of Florida and Mr. Soto.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would make it illegal to feed sharks in the specified area off Florida's coast. This could potentially impact tourism, fishing industries, and the marine ecosystem. The amendment seeks to extend existing protections similar to those already in place for Hawaii.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in shark-related incidents near Florida's coast.
- Possible positive impact on the natural behavior of sharks.
- Support for the local fishing industry by reducing artificial shark congregation.
- Enhancement of the overall marine ecosystem by preventing unnatural feeding patterns.
- Potential increase in tourism due to safer perceived waters.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential negative impact on businesses that rely on shark feeding for tourism.
- Possible disruption of ongoing scientific research related to shark behavior.
- Enforcement challenges in monitoring and preventing shark feeding activities.
- Potential displacement of sharks to other areas, impacting those ecosystems.
- Limited scope, as it only addresses shark feeding and not other potential threats to marine life.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes. This power extends to regulating activities that substantially affect interstate commerce, such as fishing and tourism within the exclusive economic zone. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).