The Miami Seaquarium closed its doors permanently this week after seven decades of operation, marking the end of one of the most emblematic and controversial aquariums in the United States.
In recent years, it went from being a tourist icon to becoming a center of protests due to animal abuse and sanitary violations.
The aquarium, opened in 1955 in Miami-Dade County, was for decades one of the main family tourism destinations in the city.
With more than 15 hectares next to Biscayne Bay, the park housed dolphins, sharks, turtles, manatees, birds, reptiles, and fish.
Now, it has permanently closed its doors in a victory against animal abuse.
The Lolita case: the controversy that sparked the conflict over the Miami Seaquarium
The most emblematic and controversial figure of the Miami Seaquarium was Lolita, an orca captured in 1970 who lived in captivity for over 50 years.
Lolita stopped participating in public shows in her final years, and her tank was permanently closed to the public in 2021 due to regulatory demands.
The orca died in 2023 from a kidney condition before being able to be transferred to a marine sanctuary in the Pacific, as planned.
In addition to Lolita, there were deaths of other marine mammals that fueled criticism from animal welfare organizations.
“The public no longer wants to see animals confined in small tanks, where they have nothing that is natural and important to them,” said Wendy Fernández, spokesperson for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), to EFE.
Fernández detailed that these animals are forced to swim in endless circles and live with other incompatible animals, causing injuries among them.
The impact of the Blackfish documentary on the aquarium debate
A turning point in the debate on aquariums came in 2013 with the release of Blackfish.
This is a documentary that tells the story of Tilikum, an orca from SeaWorld Orlando involved in the deaths of three people.
“The documentary taught people a lot about what happens, how they capture animals from the ocean, tear them from their family, all the pain they feel,” Fernández recalled.
The film sparked global protests, a boycott of SeaWorld, and a drastic drop in attendance.
In 2016, the company announced the end of its orca breeding program and the gradual phasing out of shows with them.
Miami Seaquarium’s sanitary violations and legal battle
Activists’ complaints were joined by official reports, including one from the United States government.
The latter pointed out violations in the tanks and veterinary deficiencies that would have caused suffering and deaths.
The Miami-Dade County government also reported sanitary violations and animal welfare violations, facility deterioration, and lack of veterinary care.
These irregularities led to the cancellation of the lease to the operator, The Dolphin Company, which refused to vacate and engaged in a legal battle.
Now, the definitive closure has been confirmed, which took place last Sunday, amid the bankruptcy process requested by the company.
This achievement now opens a new chapter: PETA is calling for over 100 dolphins, seals, sea lions, and birds to be sent to sanctuaries.
A new project without animal shows, but with controversy
A hearing scheduled for this Friday will define the next steps, including the possible approval of the sale to Terra Group for 22.5 million dollars.
The company plans to transform the space into a new aquarium without marine animals in shows, focused on education, conservation, and immersive exhibits.
However, PETA expressed concern about the possibility of including penguin and
