FWC bans export of threatened marine life under revised rules
May 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
The revised rules stop short of a total prohibition on marine animal capture for exhibition purposes, but commissioners described the changes as a significant tightening of the system.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a new set of restrictions Wednesday governing the capture and exhibition of protected marine wildlife, including a ban on the international export of federally threatened or endangered marine species, under the state’s Marine Special Activity License program.
The rule changes come nearly a year after public backlash erupted over the capture of a giant manta ray by Dynasty Marine Associates in July 2025. The animal was later exported to a SeaWorld-affiliated aquarium in Abu Dhabi, prompting criticism from conservationists, scientists and lawmakers who argued Florida’s wildlife protections had failed.
The revised rules stop short of a total prohibition on marine animal capture for exhibition purposes, but commissioners described the changes as a significant tightening of the system.
Under the new rules, federally threatened or endangered marine species can no longer be exported internationally for exhibition or educational purposes through the Special Activity License, or SAL, program. Any future requests involving federally listed species must also now come before the full commission for approval rather than being handled administratively by agency staff.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said during Wednesday’s meeting that he did not support sending Florida marine wildlife overseas.
“I do believe we should not export the manta rays internationally, to other countries,” Barreto said. “They should stay here, at home.”
Barreto added that only one facility in the United States would likely qualify for a permit to exhibit manta rays under the revised standards, referring to an aquarium in Georgia.
The commission also approved stricter requirements for facilities seeking exhibition permits. Under the revised framework, exhibitors must demonstrate they can keep marine animals alive for their full natural lifespan.
Still, the new rules preserve a limited pathway for exhibition permits involving some species. Commissioners said the SAL program itself would remain in place, though under tighter oversight.
“We can help them get another one,” Barreto said of qualifying facilities seeking exhibition permits for manta rays, adding that any approvals would face far more scrutiny than in the past.
The vote marked the third planned phase of revisions to the SAL program. Previous phases were approved in December 2024 and November 2025.
FWC staff also outlined broader efforts to modernize and clarify the agency’s prohibited species policies, many of which had not been substantially updated since 2009.
During the meeting, staff described inconsistencies in how prohibited marine species had historically been defined and enforced. Some protections varied locally rather than statewide, creating confusion around what species could legally be collected for exhibition or educational purposes.
The revised rules now more clearly define prohibited marine wildlife categories, including federally threatened or endangered species, Florida-listed marine species, hard corals, sea fans, goliath grouper, longspine urchins and certain sharks and rays are prohibited from harvest.
The commission additionally approved changes related to FMSEA certification, an educational collection permit pathway administered through the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. The certification allows teachers, nonprofit organizations, local governments and Florida Sea Grant affiliates to collect marine and freshwater organisms for educational use after completing agency-approved training.
Rep. Lindsay Cross, a St. Petersburg Democrat who helped lead legislative pressure on the commission ahead of the vote, praised the changes following Wednesday’s decision.
“Your voice mattered,” Cross wrote in a social media post after the meeting.
Cross said the new rules represent “important steps forward for protecting federally threatened or endangered marine wildlife.”
The lawmaker had previously joined 17 other legislators in urging the commission to adopt stronger protections for manta rays and other federally threatened species. Advocates had pushed for a complete prohibition on capture for exhibition purposes, arguing that allowing continued collection undermined Florida’s reputation as a conservation leader.
Wednesday’s action does not eliminate marine wildlife capture entirely. Under the revised rules, limited collection allowances remain in place for some species. Commissioners discussed allowing one manta ray capture every two years and up to five queen conch annually under tightly controlled conditions.
Still, supporters of the changes argued the reforms dramatically increase transparency and public oversight compared to the previous system.
In her statement, Cross thanked residents and wildlife advocates who contacted the commission following the manta ray controversy.
“Now, there will be no international export of any federally threatened or endangered marine species for exhibition or education purposes under the Special Activity License program,” Cross wrote. “This will improve transparency and allow the public to be engaged in the process.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
The rule changes come nearly a year after public backlash erupted over the capture of a giant manta ray by Dynasty Marine Associates in July 2025. The animal was later exported to a SeaWorld-affiliated aquarium in Abu Dhabi, prompting criticism from conservationists, scientists and lawmakers who argued Florida’s wildlife protections had failed.
The revised rules stop short of a total prohibition on marine animal capture for exhibition purposes, but commissioners described the changes as a significant tightening of the system.
Under the new rules, federally threatened or endangered marine species can no longer be exported internationally for exhibition or educational purposes through the Special Activity License, or SAL, program. Any future requests involving federally listed species must also now come before the full commission for approval rather than being handled administratively by agency staff.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said during Wednesday’s meeting that he did not support sending Florida marine wildlife overseas.
“I do believe we should not export the manta rays internationally, to other countries,” Barreto said. “They should stay here, at home.”
Barreto added that only one facility in the United States would likely qualify for a permit to exhibit manta rays under the revised standards, referring to an aquarium in Georgia.
The commission also approved stricter requirements for facilities seeking exhibition permits. Under the revised framework, exhibitors must demonstrate they can keep marine animals alive for their full natural lifespan.
Still, the new rules preserve a limited pathway for exhibition permits involving some species. Commissioners said the SAL program itself would remain in place, though under tighter oversight.
“We can help them get another one,” Barreto said of qualifying facilities seeking exhibition permits for manta rays, adding that any approvals would face far more scrutiny than in the past.
The vote marked the third planned phase of revisions to the SAL program. Previous phases were approved in December 2024 and November 2025.
FWC staff also outlined broader efforts to modernize and clarify the agency’s prohibited species policies, many of which had not been substantially updated since 2009.
During the meeting, staff described inconsistencies in how prohibited marine species had historically been defined and enforced. Some protections varied locally rather than statewide, creating confusion around what species could legally be collected for exhibition or educational purposes.
The revised rules now more clearly define prohibited marine wildlife categories, including federally threatened or endangered species, Florida-listed marine species, hard corals, sea fans, goliath grouper, longspine urchins and certain sharks and rays are prohibited from harvest.
The commission additionally approved changes related to FMSEA certification, an educational collection permit pathway administered through the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. The certification allows teachers, nonprofit organizations, local governments and Florida Sea Grant affiliates to collect marine and freshwater organisms for educational use after completing agency-approved training.
Rep. Lindsay Cross, a St. Petersburg Democrat who helped lead legislative pressure on the commission ahead of the vote, praised the changes following Wednesday’s decision.
“Your voice mattered,” Cross wrote in a social media post after the meeting.
Cross said the new rules represent “important steps forward for protecting federally threatened or endangered marine wildlife.”
The lawmaker had previously joined 17 other legislators in urging the commission to adopt stronger protections for manta rays and other federally threatened species. Advocates had pushed for a complete prohibition on capture for exhibition purposes, arguing that allowing continued collection undermined Florida’s reputation as a conservation leader.
Wednesday’s action does not eliminate marine wildlife capture entirely. Under the revised rules, limited collection allowances remain in place for some species. Commissioners discussed allowing one manta ray capture every two years and up to five queen conch annually under tightly controlled conditions.
Still, supporters of the changes argued the reforms dramatically increase transparency and public oversight compared to the previous system.
In her statement, Cross thanked residents and wildlife advocates who contacted the commission following the manta ray controversy.
“Now, there will be no international export of any federally threatened or endangered marine species for exhibition or education purposes under the Special Activity License program,” Cross wrote. “This will improve transparency and allow the public to be engaged in the process.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com