Efforts to evict Miami Seaquarium ignore key facts and threat to marine life | Opinion
While provocative, the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s piece, titled “The Seaquarium won’t go without a fight. But its time is already past,” overlooks critical facts and the Miami Seaquarium’s track-record of marine conservation and education under the stewardship of The Dolphin Company.
It is imperative to address these points to ensure a balanced discourse.
▪ Misrepresentation of business model: The portrayal of our business model as solely entertainment based is outdated. Today, our operations prioritize animal welfare and aim to educate visitors on marine conservation. These efforts are part of a broader, global commitment by The Dolphin Company, which has been at the forefront of marine conservation and animal welfare for over 25 years.
▪ Assurance regarding veterinary care: At no point were our animals left without the necessary veterinary attention and care. It’s reassuring to know that we have the full support of our parent company’s head of veterinary services and more than 30 veterinarians. This ensures that we maintain the highest standards of care.
▪ Lack of acknowledgment for conservation efforts: Our global track record in marine conservation and animal welfare was conspicuously absent from the discussion. The Dolphin Company’s efforts in research, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine animals underscore our ecological conscience and social responsibility — a fact missing from the editorial.
▪ Overlooked transformation and investment: The editorial fails to acknowledge the significant transformation undertaken by The Dolphin Company to modernize the Miami Seaquarium. We have invested heavily in facility upgrades and shifted our focus towards conservation and educational missions, aligning with contemporary expectations of animal care and public engagement.
▪ Underestimation of community impact: The editorial underestimates the Miami Seaquarium’s impact on the local community and economy. Beyond being an attraction, the Seaquarium serves as an educational resource, supports local jobs and fosters a deeper appreciation for marine life.
▪ Dismissal of legal and regulatory compliance: The editorial suggests an oversimplification of the eviction notice’s implications, ignoring the undisputed facts in our rebuttal of legal and regulatory compliance. Moreover, the editorial ignores that the potential eviction poses a threat not only to the marine life in our care and dedicated employees but also to a valuable educational resource for the community and the broader South Florida tourism industry.
▪ Commitment to Dialogue and Resolution: Our comprehensive internal review and consultations with independent third-party experts demonstrates our compliance with all relevant federal, state and local regulations, contradicting the allegations made in the county’s notice. We, therefore, remain hopeful for an amicable resolution that will allow us to continue our mission of conservation, education and entertainment.
We invite the community to engage with us in constructive dialogue, ensuring that decisions are made based on facts and a comprehensive understanding of our efforts and contributions.
Edwin Gonzalez is the executive director of USA Parks for the The Dolphin Company and Miami Seaquarium.
