Florida bills aim to stop capture of vulnerable aquatic animals for exhibits

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Endangered species could get some new protections in Florida.

Bills have been filed in the Florida House and Senate that would block people from taking any endangered, threatened or vulnerable aquatic animal species from state waters for display or education.

Last summer, video taken by the dolphin tour company, Water Planet, showed people capturing a giant manta ray off of Panama City. The species is listed as federally threatened.

“This female giant manta ray will live the rest of her life in a tank at SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi and doesn’t get to experience the gift of being a wild animal,” said Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg.

Cross is sponsoring the MANTA Protection Act, which has bipartisan support.

“Many of these species are on the brink of extinction, so we need to be doing more for their restoration and their rehabilitation to ensure that these animals thrive,” Cross said.

The bill sponsor said this legislation will close a legal loophole where people can get a special activity license for education or exhibition from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that allows them to take protected animals.

“Even though these animals are listed either on the federal or the state (as) threatened species, endangered or threatened animals, they’re legally allowed to do this, if they get the special license,” she said.

But there are aquariums- that Cross said are responsible, like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. That’s because their animals are rescued from injuries and illness.

“So that’s a responsible way, that’s really based on what’s in the long-term health and survival of those animals,” Cross said.

If the bill is passed and signed by the governor, it would take effect on July 1, 2026.