{"id":589,"date":"2026-05-14T21:35:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=589"},"modified":"2026-05-14T21:35:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:35:03","slug":"fwc-approves-new-restrictions-on-giant-manta-ray-captures-in-florida-after-viral-video-sparks-public-outcry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=589","title":{"rendered":"FWC approves new restrictions on giant manta ray captures in Florida after viral video sparks public outcry"},"content":{"rendered":"

TAMPA, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new rules Wednesday prohibiting the international export of giant manta rays to foreign facilities.<\/p>

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The capture of giant manta rays \u2014 a federally threatened species \u2014 will be limited to one every two years. And permits for these captures now require full approval from wildlife commissioners.<\/p>

The new rules go into effect July 1.<\/p>

Public debate<\/h2>
<\/div>

The debate over giant manta rays \u2014often referred to by advocates as the “angels of the sea” \u2014 came to a head at Wednesday\u2019s FWC meeting. People on both sides of the issue spoke during the public comment period.<\/p>

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Courtesy: Marine Megafauna Foundation<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

“Florida’s threatened marine wildlife should be conserved for the benefit of Florida’s residents, ecosystems and economy,” one person said. “Not removed from public waters to supply foreign entertainment markets.”<\/p>

Some wildlife advocates have called for a complete ban on the capture of giant manta rays.<\/p>

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The other side:<\/p>

Others disagreed.<\/p>

“Captive manta rays will significantly increase public awareness and scientific understanding of these animals. Long-term study for a better scientific understanding is only possible through captive care,” another public commenter said.<\/p>

The backstory:<\/p>

The controversy was ignited last summer when staff with Water Planet Dolphin Swim Tours captured video of a group pulling a manta ray onto its boat off the coast of Panama City. The group revealed they had a permit to export the animal. Reports later confirmed the capture was perfectly legal under the state’s previous permit system, and the manta ray was reportedly destined for a marine facility in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Courtesy: Water Planet Dolphin Swim Tours<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

“I want to thank the internet for bringing the manta ray issue to our attention. I think it\u2019s an important one,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said during Wednesday\u2019s meeting.\u00a0“<\/strong>I do believe that we should not export the manta rays internationally [to] other countries. I believe that they should be here in America.”<\/p>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

During the meeting, officials noted that the Georgia Aquarium is currently the only domestic facility likely capable of requesting a giant manta ray moving forward, as it is the only facility with the massive tank space and resources required to properly house them for their entire lifespan.<\/p>

Read more 1 killed in Lakeland crash: LPD<\/a><\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new rules Wednesday prohibiting the international export of giant manta rays to foreign facilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":586,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,162],"tags":[26,163],"class_list":["post-589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-florida","category-fwc","tag-florida","tag-fwc"],"yoast_head":"\nFWC approves new restrictions on giant manta ray captures in Florida after viral video sparks public outcry - Tampa moving journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=589\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FWC approves new restrictions on giant manta ray captures in Florida after viral video sparks public outcry - 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