Legislation to bar the knowing capture or killing of manta rays in Hawaii state waters is moving toward final passage.

The bill, HB 366, would allow the rays to be captured only for educational, scientific, management and propagation purposes. A special permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources would be required.

While there is no immediate threat to manta rays in Hawaiian waters, there is growing demand in some Asian countries for their dried gill rakers, which are used to produce traditional Asian medicine. They also are hunted for food.

The rays, whose wings can spread as much as 15 feet or more, also are being captured for display in public aquariums.

House and Senate floor passage is expected next week.