S. 843: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025, proposes the establishment of a grant program aimed specifically at rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles. Below are the key components of the bill:

Establishment of Grant Program

The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a grant program that provides financial assistance for activities related to:

• Rescuing stranded sea turtles.
• Rehabilitating injured or sick sea turtles.
• Responding to emergencies affecting sea turtles.

Eligibility for Grants

To be eligible for these grants, organizations must:

• Submit an application to the Secretary of Commerce.
• Hold appropriate authorizations under the Endangered Species Act, such as:
• Authorization for possessing endangered species.
• A cooperative agreement to work on species protection.
• Comply with specific care standards for maintaining sea turtles in captivity.
• Meet data reporting requirements as set forth by relevant authorities.

Funding Mechanism

The bill also proposes the creation of two new interest-bearing funds within the U.S. Treasury:

• The Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund.
• The Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.

These funds will be used specifically for emergency assistance related to marine mammals and sea turtles. The bill authorizes a total appropriation of:

• $5 million annually from 2025 through 2030 for the sea turtle rescue program.
• $500,000 annually from 2025 through 2030 for each of the established rescue funds.

Reporting and Compliance

The bill emphasizes the need for comprehensive data reporting and compliance with established care standards as part of the grant program. This includes reporting on the status and care of the rescued sea turtles.

Overall Goal

The primary goal of this legislation is to enhance the support and resources available for the protection and recovery of sea turtle populations in the United States, thereby strengthening conservation efforts through targeted funding and structured grant applications.

Relevant Companies

None found.