In July, a giant manta ray, an endangered species, was legally captured off Panama City Beach, Florida, and shipped off for an aquarium in Abu Dhabi. The catch was permitted under a “marine special activity license” issued by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a rarely used loophole that allows contractors to take federally protected species for “educational” or “scientific” purposes. In reality, this permit was stretched to justify supplying a foreign theme park, an act

18K views · 48 reactions | Conservation International Marine Safety Officer Edgardo Ochoa has made it his mission to rid Earth’s oceans of discarded fishing gear that ensnares marine life. And a recent encounter with a manta ray entangled in a fishing line made for one of the most emotional moments of his career. | Conservation International | Facebook