Filing Sparks New Uncertainty for Controversial Florida Theme Park
UPDATE: The Dolphin Company has since shared a statement clarifying that Controladora Dolphin SA de CV, a company of The Dolphin Company group, has filed to restructure its financial liabilities under the protection and supervision of a Mexican court specialized in financial debt restructuring.
Contrary to previous reports, it has stated that this is not a bankruptcy filing, and is instead “a mechanism provided by Mexican laws to facilitate an agreement with the main creditors, protecting the interests of other suppliers.” The Dolphin Company added “our goal is to reaffirm the foundations of this great company and prepare it for what will be its best years. Because the best is yet to come.”
The original story written before this update continues below.
Miami Seaquarium, long a fixture of South Florida’s tourist scene, faces an unclear fate after a recent filing.
Reports suggest that Dolphin Discovery Group, a brand under The Dolphin Company—the embattled operator of the oceanarium—has filed for debt restructuring, adding another layer of instability to an already fraught situation.
Drama at Miami Seaquarium
The Dolphin Company has spent the past year battling Miami-Dade County over its right to operate the Seaquarium. In early 2024, the county issued a lease termination notice, citing “a long and troubling history of violations” tied to animal care.
This came after repeated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports highlighting deficiencies in veterinary care and facility maintenance.
The county’s notice required The Dolphin Company to vacate the Virginia Key property by April 21, 2024, decades ahead of the original lease expiration in 2044. Instead of complying, the company filed a federal lawsuit against the county, arguing it had been unfairly targeted and restricted from expanding its business due to zoning regulations.
Miami-Dade County later launched formal eviction proceedings. However, in October, a judge denied the county’s immediate eviction request, ordering mediation instead. As of February 2025, the dispute remains unresolved, but conditions at the park have continued to draw scrutiny.
In December, whistleblowers alleged that the Seaquarium was struggling to pay employees, had gone weeks without providing proper food for the animals, and was operating with only one veterinarian—who reportedly lacked a U.S. license.
That same month, county officials attempted an unannounced visit but were denied entry. On the same day, federal inspectors arrived to investigate, accompanied by Miami-Dade Water and Sewer officials, who reportedly issued a warning that the park’s water supply would be cut off within seven days if outstanding bills were not settled.
Debt Restructuring
Now, just two months later, reports suggest that Dolphin Discovery Group, a division of The Dolphin Company that offers interactive dolphin experiences at Miami Seaquarium and multiple other locations, has filed to restructure its debts.
According to Reportur, the company has liabilities exceeding $200 million, though the full implications of the filing remain unclear.
Despite the financial turmoil, Miami Seaquarium remains open, with operational hours listed on its website through March 31, 2025.
Miami Seaquarium has been no stranger to controversy, particularly regarding animal welfare concerns. In 2023, the park made headlines when it announced plans to release its most famous resident, Tokitae the orca—better known as Lolita—back to her native waters in the Pacific Northwest.
The move followed decades of outcry over her living conditions in the park’s small “Whale Bowl” tank. However, Lolita passed away before the transfer could take place, and subsequent reports revealed that her tank had not received chlorine disinfection in the month leading up to her death.
For now, the future of Miami Seaquarium remains uncertain. With ongoing legal battles, financial distress, and continued scrutiny over animal welfare, the park’s fate could hinge on the outcome of The Dolphin Company’s legal and financial struggles in the months ahead.
