MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County is set to issue the Dolphin Company a new Notice of Default after USDA inspectors in November found that the Miami Seaquarium “still lacks a sufficient number of adequately trained employees.”
The USDA-focused inspection that was conducted on Nov. 2 states that “the resignation of the only veterinary technician has left two veterinarians responsible for the care of 46 marine mammals, hundreds of birds, fish, sharks, and rays housed at the facility.”
“At the time of inspection, none of the open veterinary technician positions had been filled. The veterinarians are still unable to perform routine/preventive exams and continue to prioritize sick and urgent cases until additional staff can be hired. Insufficient staffing can lead to poor husbandry practices and hinder the veterinary staff’s ability to provide routine care and maintenance for the animals,” the inspection letter stated in part.
In an email, a Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces spokesperson told Local 10 News, “The county will be treating the USDA’s Nov. 2. focused inspection report as a separate finding and will be issuing a new Notice of Default to the Dolphin Company.”
When it comes to the initial notice of being in violation of its lease agreement, a county spokesperson says the Miami Seaquarium responded “on Dec. 5, wherein the Seaquarium contested the USDA’s findings.
In early November, Miami-Dade County gave the Seaquarium 45 days to remedy the violations. It’s not yet clear what would happen if the Seaquarium fails to do so.
Back in August, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago told Local 10 News it responded to an urgent need to provide sanctuary to two dolphins from the Miami Seaquarium that were living in insufficient environmental conditions.
The transport happened under NOAA authorization.
A necropsy for beloved orca Lolita documented that she died of old age and multiple chronic illnesses, yet just two days before her death, The Dolphin Company’s CEO posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that Lolita was “in the best health condition on record for years.”
After the 45 days expire, the letter states, “The County retains the option to exercise all available remedies pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement and reserves all its rights under the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement.”
According to the county, those remedies can include termination of the lease, and if such an event were to take place, the county would reserve the right to determine the next steps, which could include potential engagement with new operators.
The USDA released a statement on the matter Monday:
“APHIS conducts unannounced inspections to assess animal health and thoroughly observe and document all areas of care and treatment covered by the Animal Welfare Act. If we find conditions or records that do not comply with the requirements, we document the problems and may set a deadline for corrective action(s). If the problems persist, we may take additional steps, including working directly with licensees to help them comply with the law, issuing advisory notices, and taking appropriate enforcement action(s) such as civil penalties, cease-and-desist orders, and license suspensions or revocations.
We also work closely the National Marine Fisheries Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service, which are responsible for conserving and managing the Nation’s marine mammal populations.
The December 15 deadline was established by the Miami-Dade commission. Miami-Dade commission decisions are not part of APHIS’ enforcement authority and we are unable to comment further.”
USDA spokesperson
Read the USDA’s inspection report here:
Local 10 News obtained Miami Seaquarium’s response letter to the USDA, which you can read here:
Related links
Nov. 2
After troubling report, county gives Miami Seaquarium 45 days to fix ‘specific violations’
Nov. 1
“USDA report reveals disturbing details about animal health at Miami Seaquarium”