Florida’s Manta Protection Act targets controversial capture of threatened rays

A controversial video has sparked debate in Florida after anglers captured and exported a threatened manta ray off Panama City. The incident, filmed by an employee of Water Planet Dolphin Swim Tours, has led lawmakers to push for stricter protections under a proposed Manta Protection Act.

The video, shared on social media, shows the manta ray being handled and transported. Denis Richard, founder of Water Planet, called the capture frustrating and described feeling helpless as the animal was taken away. Under current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules, collecting protected species for exhibition or education is legal—something critics argue was never meant for entertainment.

The proposed Manta Protection Act aims to close this loophole by banning the capture and transport of threatened or endangered marine species for entertainment purposes. Exceptions would remain for rescue, rehabilitation, and scientific research. The bill has already been heard in a House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee and introduced in the Florida Senate. In response to public concern, FWC has temporarily stopped issuing new special activity licences for endangered sharks and rays. The agency has also held public meetings to review its permitting process. If the new law passes, it would take effect on July 1.

The Manta Protection Act would mark a significant change in how Florida regulates interactions with threatened marine life. While the current rules allow captures under specific conditions, the proposed law would restrict such actions to conservation and research only. The outcome of the legislative process will determine whether stricter protections are put in place.