The longstanding Miami Seaquarium is set to permanently cease operations this weekend after over seven decades of exhibitions and shows, leaving behind a controversial legacy amid bankruptcy and harsh criticism over the treatment of its marine animals. According to a CBS News Miami report, the Seaquarium did not comment on its troubled past in its closure announcement, which was shadowed by previous clashes with animal welfare groups and ongoing financial difficulties.
Despite some visitors expressing their enjoyment, PETA has been to actively advocate against the Seaquarium's practices, particularly following the death of its iconic orca, Lolita. Emily Lively, a PETA counsel, expressed the organization's relief at the closure, urging that "These animals deserve to live out their lives in a seaside sanctuary and not be shuffled to other Dolphin Company facilities, where they receive the same level of subpar care," as reported by CBS News Miami. Yet, the future of the resident aquatic life remains uncertain, with plans for their relocation still under wraps and concerns on whether the animals can even withstand the move.
In concert with the Seaquarium’s closure, Miami developer David Martin plans to undertake a major transformation of the Virginia Key property. As detailed by a WSVN report, Martin, through his firm Terra, has set sights on recreating the area into a new waterfront destination with amenities like a marina, restaurants, and shops. The anticipated redevelopment, however, is pending approval from the Miami-Dade County Commission.
While redevelopment plans continue to unfold, concerns persist among former staff and animal welfare advocates about the well-being of the Seaquarium's current marine residents. “There’s a lot of older animals that live here, and they might not make a transport. It seems so easy to say we’re just going to pick them up and move them to a different facility, but that just takes so much time, so much planning. We do not have a science backed plan yet and we need to make sure we get one,” Valerie Warren, a former assistant supervisor at the Seaquarium, told WSVN. She has initiated an online petition to halt the relocation until a "solid, safe plan" is in place. This sentiment is shared by PETA, who will be present on the last day to mark the end of an institution that has long been a focal point of their protests.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava commented on the proposed changes, expressing optimism for the future of marine life education and Biscayne Bay preservation achieved through greater oversight during her administration. The final decision lies in the hands of the Miami-Dade County Commission, following the review of the lease transfer by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Meanwhile, the Seaquarium welcomes its last visitors on October 12, as announced in their statements.
