Mexico’s Dolphinariums Stay Open Despite New Ban on Shows

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The Mexican Association of Habitats for the Interaction and Protection of Marine Mammals (AMHMAR) has declared that the recently approved "Mincho Law," which prohibits the breeding and use of marine mammals in entertainment spectacles, does not mandate the closure of existing dolphinariums. The law, unanimously passed by both chambers of Congress, marks a historic step toward ending the exploitation of dolphins, seals, orcas, and other marine mammals in captivity.

Key Provisions of the Mincho Law

The reforms to the General Wildlife Law include:

• Ban on captive breeding unless for conservation purposes.
• Prohibition on acquiring new marine mammals.
• Elimination of acrobatic performances by dolphins.
• Replacement of concrete tanks with marine corrals or open-water systems.

The law grants an 18-month transition period for facilities to comply. Violators face fines ranging from 22,000 pesos ($1,165) to 8 million pesos ($424,000).

Origins of the Law

The legislation is named after Mincho, a dolphin severely injured during a 2020 performance at the Barceló Hotel’s dolphinarium in Riviera Maya. Despite striking a concrete slab, Mincho was forced to continue the show. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) permanently shut down the facility and fined its operator, Acuario Arrecifal, S.A. de C.V., 7.5 million pesos. Mincho remains in Cancún with limited recovery prospects.

Industry Pushback

AMHMAR, representing dolphinarium operators, asserts that existing centers may continue operating if registered legally. The association argues that banning non-conservation breeding "undermines ethical and scientific animal management" and contradicts international standards.

Economic and Logistical Challenges

Quintana Roo hosts 17 dolphinariums—80% of Mexico’s captive marine mammals—and 1,800 direct jobs. State officials, including Ecology Secretary Óscar Rébora Aguilera, acknowledge that releasing captive mammals is unviable due to their dependency on human care. Proposed solutions include creating sanctuaries, though funding and infrastructure remain unresolved.

Legal and Environmental Context

Mexico banned circus animal exploitation in 2015 and outlawed marine mammal performances in Mexico City by 2018. The Mincho Law extends these protections nationwide. Environmental groups, including Animal Heroes, celebrate the reform but demand stricter enforcement.

Ongoing Controversy

Critics like Karla Munguía Colmenero, ambassador for the documentary Keiko: The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy, remain skeptical, citing past unfulfilled reforms. Meanwhile, Profepa’s closure of the Barceló dolphinarium sets a precedent, though four surviving dolphins remain onsite despite the facility’s shuttering.

Global Context

Mexico joins a growing list of countries restricting marine mammal captivity, though the path to full eradication faces legal, economic, and logistical hurdles.

Note: All monetary conversions approximate as of June 2025.