Florida Keys Aquarium Supplier’s Manta Ray Capture Helped Drive FWC Crackdown on Threatened Species Permits

Marathon-based Dynasty Marine helped push wildlife commissioners to tighten special permits for threatened marine species — while still allowing limited collection of manta rays and Queen conch.

MARATHON, Fla. — A Keys-based marine life supplier at the center of a viral manta ray capture off the Florida Panhandle is facing new scrutiny as state wildlife officials clamp down on who can take federally threatened species from Florida waters and where those animals can be sent — even as the practice continues in a more restricted form.

At its Wednes…