Florida officials are reviewing the issuing of permits that allow the capture of endangered marine species after a viral video showed a giant manta ray being netted off Panama City for an Abu Dhabi aquarium. The footage, filmed by dolphin tour operator Denis Richard, shows the exhausted ray being pulled onto a boat by contractors working for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi under a legal permit held by Dynasty Marine Associates.
The giant manta ray, the world’s largest ray with a wingspan of up to 26ft, is federally listed as endangered, with commercial fishing as its greatest U.S. threat. The species is sought in specialized commercial markets for its gill plates.
Following the viral video, a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers urged the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to revoke the permit and suspend future “marine special activity licenses” for endangered species. Lawmakers emphasized that such practices conflict with the FWC’s mission of wildlife conservation.
FWC chair Rodney Barreto confirmed the agency will “revisit” the policies, with rule hearings scheduled for 2026. He also announced a halt on issuing permits for capturing federally protected sharks and manta rays since August 19.
“The manta ray is on the list of protected species for a reason,” said Richard. “If they’re not protected, their numbers will dwindle, like many other species that have already disappeared.”
