# Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary

This bill makes it illegal to feed sharks in the ocean waters off the coast of Florida. Specifically, it targets the area known as the exclusive economic zone, which extends about 200 miles out from Florida's coastline into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Right now, federal law already prohibits shark feeding in similar waters off Hawaii, and this bill simply adds Florida to that same restriction.

The practical effect is straightforward: anyone caught intentionally feeding sharks in these Florida waters would be breaking federal law and could face penalties. This includes tourists on boats, divers, or anyone else who might throw food or bait to attract sharks. The concern behind this law is that feeding sharks can change their natural behavior, potentially making them more aggressive or more likely to approach humans and boats, which could increase the risk of dangerous encounters. By preventing people from deliberately attracting sharks with food, the law aims to keep both people and sharks safer by maintaining more natural shark behavior patterns.

The bill doesn't affect fishing or other normal ocean activities—it's specifically about the act of intentionally feeding sharks to draw them closer. It also doesn't apply to state waters closer to shore, only the federal waters beyond that. For most Floridians and visitors, this law won't change much in their daily lives unless they were already engaged in shark feeding activities, which is relatively uncommon. The main impact is establishing a clear legal boundary that protects public safety while respecting marine life.