Latest news with #Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Giant Endangered Manta Ray Roughly Taken from Florida Waters to Be Put Into Captivity with Official Approval
'I mean, he was in pain. That animal was in pain," a witness alleged of the aquatic animal Florida locals are calling out state authorities after a dolphin tours company saw a crew capturing an endangered giant manta ray earlier this month. In a now-viral reel first shared to Facebook by Panama City Beach-based Water Planet USA on July 12, staff aboard the touring company's boat recorded video of five men roughly removing the fish from its natural habitat and placing it in a small pool for transport. 'Unfortunately, on todays tour- we witnessed a heartbreaking scene,' the video's caption read. The clip has since been shared by local outlets, including WPLG and the Orlando Sentinel, with the latter reporting that the giant endangered manta ray will be taken to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, despite it being a protected species. Water Planet USA told its followers that they should be 'outraged' by what had taken place. 'This video shows a giant manta ray—perfectly healthy—harvested just off Panama City Beach under a permit held by Sea World. It's heartbreaking and unacceptable,' the post continued. Although catching manta rays is generally banned in Florida, the state can allow special licenses for purposes that "increase the public's knowledge and awareness of Florida's marine resources." The license to capture the manta ray on July 12 was issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which allowed for one of the animals to be captured for exhibition purposes, per the Sentinel. PEOPLE has reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "As a citizen of this country, you have the right and the moral obligation to address the issue with your local representatives, of our Government issuing permits for the cruel and inhumane capture of ocean mega fauna such as the giant manta ray for public display, especially if our marine resources are exported overseas for gainful purposes,' Denis Richard of Water Planet USA, who was present when the video was filmed, told PEOPLE in a statement. 'These permits are a disgrace and an insult to our country's and the world's scientific community," Richard continued. No one from Water Planet USA appeared on-camera, but someone from their boat could be heard yelling, 'Let him go! You should be ashamed of yourselves!' SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opened in May 2023 and operates as a research, rescue & rehabilitation center. It is the first SeaWorld park outside of the U.S. and the first park without orcas. It is also the largest indoor marine-life theme park. However, Richard says that's still not good enough. 'The risks of that manta ray being traumatized and possibly dying in that process are very high because they are a very sensitive species,' the Water Planet USA founder and CEO told the Orlando Sentinel. He told WPLG his thoughts on witnessing the capture: 'I was horrified, and everybody on board was really upset," Richard told WPLG of witnessing the capture. 'I mean, he was in pain. That animal was in pain.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Giant manta rays are the world's largest ray with a wingspan of up to 26 feet, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, a U.S. federal agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This species of rays has 'highly fragmented populations,' and their main threats are commercial fishing, the agency said. It is considered a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. PEOPLE was not immediately able to reach SeaWorld Abu Dhabi for comment. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Americans told to destroy parasite-infested pink blobs invading Florida: 'Crush on site'
Americans are being urged to destroy strange, sticky pink blobs appearing across Florida, as officials warn they pose a threat to both humans and local ecosystems. These vivid pink clusters are egg masses laid by invasive apple snails from South America, fast-growing species that can cause serious ecological damage once hatched. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has warned residents not to handle the eggs with bare hands, especially around the eyes, nose, or mouth. The slime coating the eggs may carry harmful bacteria and parasites that can infect sensitive areas. Instead, officials are asking the public to crush the clutches using protective footwear. Florida is home to multiple types of apple snails, including the native Florida apple snail. But the state also hosts four exotic species from South America: the island apple snail, channeled apple snail, spike-topped apple snail, and titan apple snail. Health officials are particularly concerned about the channeled apple snail, which can carry rat lungworm, a parasite capable of causing a rare but potentially deadly form of meningitis when humans consume raw or undercooked snails. The US Geological Survey reports these egg masses are commonly spotted in central and southern Florida waterways, including Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and Everglades National Park. Invasive apple snail populations have also taken hold in Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and parts of California, where they've become serious pests in agricultural zones. Since 2013, these invasive snails have spread across 38 out of 67 counties in Florida and been found in at least 29 different watersheds. They can grow up to six inches long, lay distinctive bright pink egg masses, and have an aggressive appetite for aquatic vegetation. The exotic snails damaged crops, raised utility costs, lowered home values, and hurt fishing, tourism, and outdoor activities. Unlike Florida's native apple snail, these invaders threaten to push out local species and disrupt ecosystems by eating aquatic plants essential for native fish, birds, and water quality. The FWC said in a public alert: 'If they fall into the water, they will still hatch.' The agency added that the only way to prevent more snails is to completely crush the egg sacs. The invasive apple snail is listed by the FWC as one of the 'world's worst invaders' due to the extensive damage it causes to crops and natural habitats. A 2021 study estimated that this kind of damage and cleanup has costed North America over $26 billion annually since 2010. Moreover, globally, the cost of invasive species has reached $1.288 trillion over the past 50 years. Florida's native apple snail grows slowly and lays fewer eggs. In contrast, invasive snails mature in two to three months and produce large egg clutches. Native apple snail eggs are pale salmon-colored, contain 20 to 80 large, pea-sized eggs, and turn white before hatching, according to the US Geological Survey. The invasive island apple snail can lay up to 2,000 tiny eggs packed in layered clutches several inches long, while the invasive channeled apple snail lays up to 800 slightly larger eggs per clutch. The huge number of eggs and fast reproduction make these snails hard to control. Identifying apple snails apart by their shells is tricky, since they all looks alike. However, Native Florida apple snails are smaller, about two to three inches long, with flat-topped shells. Their shell colors range from yellow to brownish-black. Some exotic snails show bright yellow-orange, yellow-green, or copper tones, a result of aquarium breeding. Their foot tissue also varies in color, from yellow to gray. Most invasive apple snails arrived in Florida through the pet trade. Federal law bans moving apple snails between states, but the FWC stresses pet owners should never release them into the wild.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Watch: Tourists 'totally outraged' by fishing crew's brutal act at sea
Tourists on board an eight-metre viewing pontoon were horrified when one of the creatures they had hoped to see in the wild was hauled out of the water by a group of nearby fishermen. Tour leader Denis Richard told Yahoo News Australia the incident left his group feeling 'totally outraged'. In a video shot by his Water Planet USA colleague in waters off Florida, a helicopter can be heard circling overhead as five men work to haul the endangered manta ray onto their boat. 'It was circling, and circling, and circling, which was not normal behaviour. It was there for a good 20 minutes, and that's what attracted my attention, so I drove towards that location,' Richard said. The angler was strapped to the boat and described as 'pulling like crazy'. At first, Richard thought the man had accidentally hooked the animal because it is a protected species that's listed as endangered. Then they brought out a net, and their intentions became clear. 'It took them over a half hour to bring the manta ray to the boat. I was yelling at them, asking if they were going to release the animal, and they said no, we have a permit,' Richard recalled. Related: 😳 Late-night beach find highlights dark side of Aussie state's $88 million tourism pledge Local media have confirmed with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that the men in the video had a 'special' licence to capture the animal under a program that facilitates activities including the exhibition of marine animals, education and scientific research. Richard believes the manta ray was being acquired for the commercial aquarium trade and will be shipped overseas. Yahoo News has contacted an organisation licensed to capture marine life for display, but it did not immediately respond. Moments earlier, Richard's tour group had been enjoying a swim close to wild dolphins, and they had ventured towards land in search of manatees, sting rays and manta rays that are known to inhabit the shallows in waters off Shell Island, near Bay County. He's furious that rather than getting to enjoy watching the manta ray in the wild, his group had to see it caught on a line instead. Had he known they were intending to capture the animal, Richard said he would have jumped into the water and cut the line. Once he understood their plan, he initially wasn't sure whether they were acting legally or not. 'Some people have guns and they will shoot you. So I was a little bit concerned, that's why I remained polite," Richard said. "Even though I was very firm, I did not insult them. But they did not respond, they remained very professional, and did not seem to want to respond.' 🏝️ 1.5 million travellers warned of hidden health risk on popular holiday island 🐭 Australia called out for 'failing' two rare species facing extinction 🎣 7.3-metre fishing vessel at centre of 800kg fishing operation Richard is now concerned about the animal's welfare following the stressful event. But there's one positive that has come out of the incident. 'It was enlightening for the tourists. I'm glad they could witness it, so they can do something with their outrage. They can investigate, they can talk to their friends, their representatives about an injustice that allows the capture of endangered species, especially for public display,' Richard said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
