Rep. Daniel Webster on Florida Safe Seas Act to Ban Shark Feeding

The Florida Safe Seas Act

• 🎯 Rep. Daniel Webster introduced the Florida Safe Seas Act to enhance public safety for swimmers, divers, and beachgoers in Florida.
• 🌊 The bill aims to align federal law with existing Florida state law by prohibiting the hand-feeding of sharks in federal waters off the coast.

Rationale Behind the Ban

• 🦈 Hand-feeding sharks conditions them to associate humans with food, increasing the risk of attacks.
• 💡 This practice has led to eight reported shark attacks this year, with three occurring in Florida.
• ⚠️ The bill seeks to protect Floridians and visitors from unnecessary harm caused by this practice.

Federal and State Alignment

• ⚖️ Currently, federal law prohibits shark feeding in specific zones like Hawaii and US territories.
• 🏖️ The Florida Safe Seas Act extends this prohibition to Florida's federal waters, mirroring state regulations.
• 🐠 The act supports Florida's unique eco-tourism by ensuring the safety of wildlife enjoyment for both residents and visitors.