Miami-Dade County is taking significant action in bankruptcy court regarding the financially troubled Miami Seaquarium, arguing that the facility’s lease should be terminated to facilitate the relocation of its animals, including dolphins, sea lions, and seals.
County attorneys have expressed urgency for a quick resolution, claiming the park’s current ownership lacks the necessary financial resources to properly care for the animals. This situation is complicated by an ongoing dispute between the owners and Eduardo Albor, the former CEO of the Dolphin Company, regarding control of the marine tourism rights for various attractions.
In a legal filing, attorneys Eric Sutty and Ileana Cruz asserted that the County has shown remarkable patience as the current management conflicts over corporate control with Albor, who is facing contempt charges and a substantial daily fine.
“The debtors have not filed a plan of reorganization…or shown any viable path forward that would require continued operation of the Seaquarium,” the attorneys stated.
As part of these proceedings, the County opposes the new owners’ request for a three-month extension of the lease deadline. A hearing on this matter will occur on Wednesday before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein.
The new ownership group, identified as the “debtors” in court documents, is seeking additional time to establish an international sales strategy involving a network of 30 marine parks.
However, the County contends that the Seaquarium cannot be revived into a profitable business and argues that taxpayers should not be left waiting while legal battles unfold in Mexico.
The pleadings convey the County’s frustration, stating that the disputes with Albor have diverted attention from the operations at the Seaquarium, effectively holding the park hostage.
Judge Silverstein has already declared Albor in contempt of court and imposed a fine of $10,000 for each day he remains in violation of the court order. Albor’s legal team contends that their client is exercising his rights according to Mexican laws, where the majority of the Dolphin Company’s parks function.
In response, the new owners are expected to seek further sanctions against Albor and potentially other involved parties during the Wednesday hearing, alleging that he has siphoned funds from the marine parks in Mexico.
For Miami-Dade County, this confrontation with Albor serves as a critical factor underscoring the need for rapid intervention. The aging Seaquarium, famously known as the filming site for the 1960s television series “Flipper,” must be disentangled from the larger corporate framework to ensure the welfare of its animal residents.
In a detailed motion spanning 34 pages, the County noted that Riveron, the entity selected to oversee the Dolphin Company’s restructuring, has failed to communicate any concrete plans regarding the park’s 38 acres of County-managed land, which cannot legally be developed for non-park purposes.
County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has indicated that she does not foresee a revitalization of the Seaquarium, which has been operational on Virginia Key since the 1950s.
The motion outlines ongoing safety concerns, emphasizing that Riveron has not addressed any outstanding notices of violations linked to hazardous structural conditions at the park.
Within the Chapter 11 bankruptcy framework, which is intended to facilitate business reorganizations, the County’s motion casts doubt on the Seaquarium’s potential profitability given its financial reports indicating that expenditures consistently exceed revenues. They argue that the reorganized company would be in a stronger position without the Seaquarium included.
Lawyers for the County maintain that since Miami-Dade terminated the Seaquarium’s lease prior to the bankruptcy filing, the lease should no longer be considered an asset. They urge Judge Silverstein to allow Florida courts to proceed with eviction actions.
Finally, the County calls for a deadline, citing animal safety concerns, requesting that the court mandates the removal of all marine mammals and other creatures from the park by a specified date to avert any further harm.
image source from：kbindependent
