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Florida Safe Seas Act would extend state shark-feeding ban into federal waters off Florida
Summary
Representative Webster's Florida Safe Seas Act would prohibit the hand-feeding of sharks in federal waters off Florida, aligning federal law with existing Florida state rules and aiming to reduce human–shark interactions that can condition sharks to associate people with food.
Representative Webster introduced H.R. 3,831, the Florida Safe Seas Act, which would prohibit the hand-feeding of sharks in the federal waters off Florida and bring federal restrictions into alignment with existing state law. Webster said the state banned hand-feeding of sharks in state waters roughly 20 years ago and the bill simply extends that safety approach into the federal exclusive economic zone off Florida.
Major William Holcomb of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission testified in support, saying Florida enforces a state ban on shark feeding and other prohibitions designed to reduce dangerous human–wildlife interactions. "The goal is clear, to protect divers, swimmers, and surfers by preventing wildlife from becoming conditioned to associate humans with food," Major Holcomb said.
Webster and supporters argued the bill would bring consistency across jurisdictions; Major Holcomb told the subcommittee federal alignment would reduce public confusion and extend safety and conservation benefits beyond state waters. Companion examples were cited where the National Park Service bans feeding wildlife on park lands and federal law already prohibits shark feeding in some U.S. territories.
The committee accepted written input from state operators and conservation partners to the record. There were no votes during the hearing and the committee requested technical feedback as part of continued consideration.
