After 70 years in business, the Miami Seaquarium is officially closing its doors on Sunday after the company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
The park is selling its lease to a developer, and the $22.5 million deal will turn the park into an aquarium without sea mammals.
The Seaquarium turned 70 on Sept. 23, but for its next birthday, it will look different under a developer’s plan to turn it into the Miami Seaquarium 2.0.
“Miami Seaquarium has meant so much for this community for so many years, and I think one of the main purposes was to inspire the community,” said David Martin, CEO of Miami’s Terra Group.
Martin and Terra Group decided to pay the hefty price tag to take over the Seaquarium’s lease.
This next step follows a year-long eviction process by Miami-Dade County against the Seaquarium’s current owner, the Mexican-owned Dolphin Company, due to welfare concerns.
“We’re going to be preserving the golden dome, we are going to be having a celebration for marine life and immersive experiences, but no marine mammals, but it is something that I think is going to be an amazing family-friendly destination,” Martin said.
The project will focus on education and the conservation of Biscayne Bay, and working with community partners.
The plan also includes building restaurants, retail spaces and a new marina.
The marine mammals that live at the park will be relocated with oversight from the bankruptcy trustee and the county to ensure their welfare. ‘
Activists, on the other hand, have concerns.
NBC6 spoke to Dr. Jenifer Wallace, who was a veterinarian at the Seaquarium back in 2021.
“I think the Miami Seaquarium, the name, the facility itself, is done,” she said. “There’s so much death attached to that name.”
Some instances of controversy at the Seaquarium include the 2023 death of a beloved orca named Lolita and the United States Department of Agriculture issuing several violations and warnings for the current operator.
Other animal welfare groups like PETA have also been vocal in supporting the eviction.
Demonstrators are expected to hold a celebration Sunday afternoon.
