Outrage Erupts After Protected Manta Ray Dragged Onto Boat by Florida Company — Caught on Camera!

Shell Island, FL — A video filmed off the waters near Panama City Beach has ignited a firestorm of public outrage and ethical questions, after a protected giant manta ray was captured by a South Florida marine collection company — its massive body visibly struggling as it was hauled onto a boat. The footage, now viral, has become a lightning rod for conservationists and everyday citizens alike, many of whom are asking the same thing: Was this legal — and more importantly, was it right?

The Moment That Sparked National Outrage

The video was captured by Denis Richard, a local wildlife enthusiast out for a routine afternoon near Shell Island, when he noticed an unfamiliar boat in the water. What he saw next was disturbing: a massive manta ray — its wingspan stretching up to 15 feet — entangled in a fishing line, visibly writhing as it was winched aboard.

“That animal was in pain,” Richard recalled. “If I had a line tied under my arm and was being yanked onto a boat like that, I’d be in distress too. It was heartbreaking.”

The manta ray, unlike typical fish, is known for its intelligence, gentle nature, and symbolic status in marine ecosystems. Seeing one in pain, especially a federally protected species, didn’t just raise eyebrows — it shocked people to their core.

Who’s Responsible — and Is It Legal?

The boat belonged to Dynasty Marine Associates, a Marathon-based company known for collecting live marine life for aquariums around the world, including SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The company has a Marine Special Activity License (MSAL) — a rarely issued permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that allows limited collection of endangered or protected species for scientific or exhibition purposes.

So yes — technically, the capture was legal. But what the video raised wasn’t just a question of legality — it was a question of ethics, transparency, and animal welfare.

“Just because you have a license doesn’t mean you’re handling these animals humanely,” said Dr. Naomi Keene, a marine biologist and advocate for ethical aquaria. “These animals don’t thrive in tanks. A permit is not a free pass to abuse.”

Social Media Explodes

The response on social platforms was swift and angry. Clips of the distressed manta ray have been reshared tens of thousands of times with hashtags like #ProtectMantas and #NotForProfit trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

“We protect manta rays on paper, but where’s the protection when they’re being pulled out of the ocean for profit?” wrote one user.

Others questioned the value of placing such rare creatures in captivity — especially when their survival rates in artificial environments are low, and the stress of capture can cause long-term harm or death.

A Species That Doesn’t Belong in Tanks

Unlike smaller rays or reef fish, giant manta rays are highly migratory, traversing vast stretches of open ocean. Their need for space, deep water, and constant motion makes them incredibly difficult to care for in captivity. Only a handful of aquariums in the world have ever attempted to house them — most with limited success.

This is Dynasty Marine’s second known capture of a manta ray, and reportedly part of an effort to deliver live specimens to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, which has a massive indoor aquarium facility. But many conservationists argue that captivity is not conservation — especially for species like mantas, which are listed under the Endangered Species Act and face threats from fishing, pollution, and climate change.

“These aren’t show animals,” said Reefwatch Florida, a local nonprofit. “They’re ocean guardians. Taking them for exhibition sends the wrong message.”

What Happens Next?

The FWC has confirmed that Dynasty Marine’s permit is active and legal, but said they are reviewing whether the capture and handling techniques used in this case were compliant with ethical standards and permit terms.

Meanwhile, calls are growing for:

• Stricter oversight of MSAL permit holders

• Full transparency on where the animal was taken and whether it survived

• A ban on capturing manta rays for display, even under special licenses

Local lawmakers and environmental groups are also starting to speak out, calling for federal review of loopholes that allow for-profit companies to exploit protected species for entertainment or business purposes.

 “We All Watched That Animal Suffer”

For Denis Richard, the man who filmed it all, the moment still haunts him. He didn’t expect to become a viral witness — just a guy on a boat, heartbroken by what he saw.

“I didn’t expect this to blow up,” he said. “But maybe it’s good that it did. Because that animal didn’t deserve what happened to it — and people need to see the truth.”