Quintana Roo Mediates Dolphinarium Transition Plan

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The head of the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), Oscar Rebora Aguilera, announced that he will hold meetings with tourism businesses and environmental groups to define a plan for a responsible transition for dolphinariums, as part of the federal reform that prohibits the use of mammals for entertainment purposes.

He indicated that the state government will act as a mediator to build viable solutions that guarantee animal welfare during the period that lawsuits and injunctions promoted by some business owners linked to the activity are ongoing.

“Business owners have the right to resort to legal instances regarding the law that came into effect several months ago, so what the state government seeks is to establish dialogue with the objective of advancing responsible schemes that guarantee the welfare of the animals,” he said.

He indicated that his position regarding dolphinariums is against them, although as an official he has to set aside his point of view and listen to both environmentalists and business owners; “that is why the call is for dialogue to achieve consensus.”

The official added that, while the legal process continues, SEMA proposes limiting access to dolphinariums only to educational coexistence activities and habitat knowledge, leaving behind shows and recreational dynamics.