Federal law creates shark-attack alert code, leaving rollout to individual states
A new federal statute authorizes the FCC to support shark-attack warnings, but each state must decide whether to implement them.
In June, President Donald Trump enacted “Lulu’s Law,” a federal bill that requires the Federal Communications Commission to create a specific wireless emergency alert for shark attacks. The legislation provides a code similar to Amber or Blue Alerts but leaves the decision to issue warnings to each state, with Alabama already implementing a beach-warning system. Survivor Lulu Gribbin, who lost a hand and part of a leg in a 2024 shark bite, championed the law to prevent similar tragedies.
Researchers like Christopher G. Lowe note that shark incidents are rare and stress that education may be more effective than alerts, while scholars such as Jeannette Sutton and Hamilton Bean warn of potential alert fatigue and logistical challenges. Critics also fear that widespread alerts could deter tourists and hurt coastal economies. The law’s impact will depend on how individual states choose to apply the new alert code.
Why it matters
It could change how coastal communities warn swimmers of shark threats, affecting public safety and tourism.
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