Protect Sharks.
Protect Jobs.
Protect Florida.
Protect Sharks.
Protect Jobs.
Protect Florida.
Conservation • Research • Education • Sustainable Tourism •
The Florida Safe Seas Act (H.R. 3831) threatens one of Florida's most unique and sustainable marine industries.
The Florida Safe Seas Act (H.R. 3831) would prohibit attracting sharks with bait or any other substance in Florida's federal waters for nearly every purpose except harvesting them.
If enacted, the bill would effectively end Florida's shark diving industry while limiting marine research, conservation, education, underwater photography, and one of the state's most successful forms of sustainable ecotourism.
This isn't just about shark diving.
It's about protecting Florida jobs, supporting marine science,
preserving sustainable tourism, and ensuring decisions affecting Florida's waters are based on sound science.
Learn what's in the bill, who it affects, and why thousands
of Floridians believe lawmakers should take a closer look.
Who H.R. 3831 Affects
The impacts extend far beyond shark-diving businesses.
The bill would affect:
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Shark-diving operators
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Marine researchers
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Underwater photographers
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Documentary filmmakers
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Universities and educators
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Conservation organizations
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Charter businesses
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Small coastal businesses
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Florida's tourism industry
How the Justification Has Evolved
2025: Public Safety
When first introduced, H.R. 3831 was presented as a public safety measure intended to reduce risks associated with sharks.
The bill is now being promoted as a solution to shark depredation and as support for recreational fisheries.
2026: Shark Depredation
But the Bill Didn't Change
Although the stated justification has shifted, the bill's operative language has remained largely unchanged.
Did You Know?
The key legal definition used in H.R. 3831 is nearly 10 years old.
It originated in the Access for Sportfishing Act of 2016, a bill focused on recreational fishing — not shark-diving tourism or public safety.
The Double Standard
The impacts extend far beyond shark-diving businesses.
H.R. 3831 would prohibit attracting sharks for:
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Scientific research
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Conservation
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Education
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Ecotourism
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Underwater photography and filmmaking
Yet it would still allow attracting sharks to harvest them.
Why This Matters
H.R. 3831 has been justified using two primary arguments:
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Public safety
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Shark depredation
However, neither justification is currently supported by scientific evidence demonstrating that Florida's regulated offshore shark-diving industry causes either problem.
Public policy should be based on evidence — not assumptions.
Our Request
We respectfully ask Congress to:
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Pause consideration of H.R. 3831.
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Hold full committee hearings.
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Hear testimony from marine scientists and conservation experts.
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Hear from Florida businesses, dive operators, and coastal communities.
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Base policy decisions on sound science and input from all affected stakeholders.
WHY OPPOSE THE FLORIDA SAFE SEAS ACT? H.R. 3831
H.R. 3831 would impose a sweeping federal prohibition without demonstrating that Florida’s responsible shark-diving industry creates the problems the bill claims to address.
The consequences could extend far beyond individual dive operators —
affecting tourism, small businesses, scientific research, conservation education, and America’s ability to compete in the global shark-ecotourism market.
“No one will protect what they don't care about;
and no one will care about what they
have never experienced”
- Sir David Attenborough