Latest news with #Water Planet USA
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- News.com.au
Tourists outrage over sight on board fishing boat in Florida
A video shot by a boatload of tourists has sparked international outrage, with some calling for charges to be laid against the fishermen behind the catch as well as the global company who allegedly requested the creature. The short clip, which has gone viral, shows five men hauling in a massive manta ray from the ocean that surrounds Shell Island off Panama City Beach in Florida. The disturbing footage shows the large animal struggling in a black net as the fishermen haul what is believed to be a female manta ray aboard their white boat. Speaking to local media 10 News, Denis Richard — the founder and CEO of dolphin swim tour company Water Planet USA — recorded the video while on his way back to the marina with a group of tourists. Mr Richard claims the men struggled to bring up what he initially believed was a shark before realising it was an endangered giant manta ray. 'I was horrified, and everybody on board was really upset,' Richard said of the ordeal, which left his boatload of tourists shocked, horrified and angry. 'We saw the wings of a manta ray and the manta ray was not hooked through the mouth … So they must have snagged him.' Mr Richard claims the mammoth ray was dumped into a small pool on board the boat, with the fisherman allegedly appearing to celebrate the fact they'd snagged a female. ''Oh, good, that's a female,' Mr Richard claims one of the fisherman said, adding the animal would've 'been in pain'. While these giant oceanic manta rays are protected under the Endangered Species Act, some fishermen who hold a permit to harvest these animals under a Marine Special Activity License means they are technically allowed to catch and keep. According to The Independent, the group of fisherman did have a permit and that their company typically supplies marine life caught around Florida and the Caribbean 'to public aquariums and stores, such as SeaWorld.' In a statement shared by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a spokesperson said while they are aware of the video circulating on social media, the fisherman didn't commit a crime. 'The take of manta rays is prohibited in state waters. However, the capture of the ray shown in this video was permitted by a Marine Special Activity License that allowed for the take of one manta ray. 'The Marine Special Activity License Program issues licenses for activities requiring a marine fisheries regulation waiver. Activities that are licensed by this program include, but are not limited to, scientific research, education, exhibition, aquaculture, and more.' has contacted the marine supplied, with the company describing themselves as 'effectively' serving aquarist customers by 'discovering, acquiring, and acclimating difficult-to-capture marine life of all sizes for public display or the home hobbyist.' It is understood the company has been in practice since 1984. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the wild female manta ray 'doesn't belong' in captivity. 'Manta rays are gentle, intelligent fish who glide through the open ocean using their wide, winglike fins,' the non-governmental organisation said on their website. 'They belong in the ocean, not behind glass at a marine park for humans to gawk at. 'These men abducted this manta ray from the only home she has likely ever known. This is the last time she'll feel ocean waves.' Local 10 News — a television station in Miami, Florida and who is affiliated with ABC (America) — confirmed that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi contracted the marine supply group to procure the giant manta ray.
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.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Footage of manta ray being captured in Florida raises animal welfare concerns
A video depicting the capture of a giant manta ray near Panama City Beach, Florida, has sparked widespread outrage over animal welfare and conservation practices. Denis Richard, founder of Water Planet USA, recorded the incident, observing five people struggling to bring the endangered creature onto their boat. Richard expressed horror at the manta ray's distress, noting it appeared to have been snagged rather than hooked, and was subsequently placed into a small deck pool. Despite giant oceanic manta rays being protected under the Endangered Species Act, the captors possessed a Marine Special Activity License permitting the take of one manta ray for exhibition. The group involved is a Marathon-based company that supplies marine life to aquariums and stores, such as SeaWorld.
