Mexico Dolphinariums Face Inspections Over Breeding Claims

Quintana Roo, Mexico — In response to multiple reports that dolphinariums in Quintana Roo have continued breeding cetaceans despite a legal reform expressly prohibiting the practice, the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) has requested inspection operations at these establishments.

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of SEMA, explained that environmental organizations have been the ones reporting this situation, in addition to allegations of mistreatment against the specimens.

“This is completely under federal jurisdiction, but we are obviously aware. I have already notified the attorney general's offices so they can conduct the corresponding inspections. We are waiting for the attorney general's office to carry out the procedures so that all these reports, that they continue to breed the dolphins and continue to mistreat them, are addressed,” stated Rébora Aguilera.

The inspection request has been directed to both the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and its state-level counterpart, added the official.

Furthermore, they have requested that a state-level “mirror registry” of the specimen inventory be maintained, as “often the information is skewed, so it is one of the requests we made to the tourism sector regarding dolphinariums so that we can also cross-check it with the registry maintained by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).”

Additionally, SEMA has met with representatives of the dolphinariums to outline the transition process of these facilities into sanctuaries, with the purpose of guaranteeing the well-being of the specimens.

In June 2025, a reform to Article 60 Bis of the General Wildlife Law (LGVS) in Mexico was approved, prohibiting the use of marine mammals in shows, their breeding for profit, and their commercial exploitation, allowing it solely for research, education, conservation, and repopulation of endangered species purposes.

This reform mandates the definitive closure of dolphinariums in Mexico, though not immediately, but rather as the life cycle of the current marine mammals already owned by these businesses concludes.

The reform has a particular impact on Quintana Roo, which is home to 17 of the 34 dolphinariums existing in the country.