Marine and Aquatic Native Threatened Animal Protection Act (FL SB 988)

• Prohibits the taking, possession, transportation, or exportation of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable aquatic animal species from Florida state waters for exhibition or educational purposes
• Defines covered species as those on Florida's official endangered and threatened species list or classified as endangered or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• Bars the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from issuing, renewing, or approving any special activity license or other authorization that would permit taking such species for the prohibited purposes
• Violations are classified as Level Four offenses under s. 379.401, with each individual animal taken or exported counting as a separate offense
• Exempts rescue, rehabilitation, and scientific study conducted under state or federal authorization, and does not limit federal authority under the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Act, or CITES; effective date is July 1, 2026