Panama City Beach, Florida – A stunning scene has shaken witnesses and sparked international outrage. A giant manta ray, a threatened species, was captured from coastal waters by five men, under the eyes of a shocked tour operator. Though the capture was authorized under a special permit, the event has reignited fierce ethical debate: in 2025, can we still justify removing such majestic creatures from the wild in the name of education or entertainment?
A Legal but Highly Contested Capture
On July 12, Denis Richard, founder of Water Planet U.S., was leading a dolphin-watching tour when he witnessed the capture.
« Let her go. You should be ashamed, » he shouted, according to the Orlando Sentinel. One of his crew members filmed the scene, showing the animal’s struggle in the net.
« The risks of trauma and death are extremely high in this process, especially for such a sensitive species, » Richard added.
The capture was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which issued a one-year permit allowing the capture of a single giant manta ray for exhibition purposes. Such permits are rare but not unprecedented—four have been granted in the past two years, according to agency spokeswoman Shannon Knowles. One of the rays captured under a similar permit reportedly died shortly after transfer.
The animal in the video is believed to have been destined for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a massive marine park recently opened in the Middle East. The operation was led by Dynasty Marine Associates, a Florida-based company specializing in the collection and export of rare marine species. In a letter to federal regulators, company president Christopher Ben Daughtry defended the practice:
« Our specimens are seen by millions each year and serve as ambassadors for their species, helping to educate the public on ocean conservation. »
Conservation Concerns and the Intelligence of Manta Rays
The giant manta ray (Mobula birostris), often nicknamed the “angel of the sea,” can reach up to eight meters in wingspan, weigh nearly two tons, and live over 50 years. Though listed as « threatened » under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, it does not receive the stricter protections given to « endangered » species. According to a 2024 federal report, Florida is the only U.S. state where such captures are still legally permitted for exhibition purposes.
Marine scientists have expressed concern. Jessica Pate, a biologist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation and lead of the Florida Manta Project, acknowledges the educational role of aquariums but firmly opposes manta ray captures:
« These animals migrate hundreds of kilometers and have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish, which likely indicates intelligence, » she told the Orlando Sentinel.
In fact, a 2016 study found that manta rays could recognize themselves in a mirror—a rare ability associated with self-awareness and observed in only a few species, primarily primates.
The footage, shared on social media, has racked up over 740,000 views, triggering an outpouring of criticism.
« How is this allowed? These animals were never meant for captivity, » wrote one user.
Denis Richard proposes an alternative: virtual reality experiences to allow people to engage with these creatures without removing them from their habitat.
« This capture is about making money through exhibition. This animal will now spend the rest of its life swimming in circles in a tank, » he lamented.
A bitter conclusion, as the stakes for marine conservation grow ever more urgent.
Source: GEO
