The future of several marine theme parks in Florida is growing increasingly uncertain as financial troubles, legal disputes, and animal welfare concerns continue to mount for the Dolphin Company.
The organization, which operates more than 30 parks globally, has spent the past few months navigating bankruptcy proceedings and internal upheaval. Now, a U.S. judge has imposed daily sanctions on the company’s former CEO, escalating tensions as the parks face scrutiny from regulators and the public.
Federal Judge Sanctions Former CEO Over Legal Interference
Earlier this month, a U.S. bankruptcy judge ordered Eduardo Albor, the Dolphin Company’s former CEO, to pay $10,000 per day for failing to comply with a court order. The penalties, applied retroactively from June 19, relate to Albor’s alleged interference with Controladora Dolphin, a company entity based in Mexico.
According to court documents, Albor and his allies installed unauthorized card readers—purchased from a Costco in Cancun—in an effort to divert park revenue away from court-supervised accounts. The company’s court-appointed restructuring officer described the scheme as a direct violation of bankruptcy protections.
Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein did not rule on whether Albor misappropriated funds, but called his ongoing interference “undisputed,” citing concerns about its impact on animal care.
Albor’s attorney, James Moon, argued that his client still has the company’s best interests at heart. Silverstein disagreed: “He needs to step back,” she said.
The legal issues follow an April incident in which Albor allegedly returned to the company’s Cancun headquarters accompanied by individuals posing as armed state police officers. He reportedly barred restructuring officials and lenders from entering the building.
To maintain operations during bankruptcy, a group of lenders provided $10 million in emergency funding. However, attorney Paul Keenan, representing those lenders, told the court that only the company’s parks outside Mexico are currently under their control. The Mexican properties remain out of reach—despite being the primary source of revenue.
Animal Welfare Questions Cast Long Shadow Over Gulf World and Seaquarium
In Florida, the Dolphin Company’s parks have faced increased scrutiny over animal welfare and facility conditions.
Miami Seaquarium lost its American Humane Association certification in early 2024 and was later cited for a series of health and safety violations. One inspection revealed an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin with a two-inch nail lodged in its throat. Others noted mold, peeling paint, and insufficient veterinary staffing.
That same year, Miami-Dade County terminated the park’s lease over nearly $88,000 in unpaid rent. When the Seaquarium refused to vacate, the matter escalated into a legal dispute that remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach has been closed since May following the death of Samira, a 9-year-old bottlenose dolphin. She was the fifth dolphin to die at the park since October. The cause of death has not been released, but the incident prompted strong criticism.
Florida Sen. Jay Trumbull called the situation “disturbing and unacceptable,” urging the immediate removal of the remaining dolphins. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission later confirmed that it is working with partners to relocate the animals to other facilities.
Under the terms of its court-approved restructuring plan, the Dolphin Company will attempt to sell six properties—including Gulf World, Marineland Dolphin Adventure, and The Dolphin Connection—within the next 60 days. Miami Seaquarium is not currently part of the sale.
If all required deadlines are met, Gulf World could be sold by late September. Formal bids must be submitted within seven days of a June 25 court order, followed by a court hearing and sale closure within two weeks of approval.
For now, the Dolphin Company remains under pressure from multiple sides—legal, financial, and regulatory—as its leadership races to restructure the business and determine the future of its most high-profile parks.
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