Personal opinion
I donīt think that marine parks should close. What I do think is that we must put an end to all forms of cetacean explotation, like dolphin shows, SWTD programms, roadside shows, vivisection, therapies with dolphins, petting pools, etc. As we can see, not all of this happen in marine parks.
I think that marine parks should leave behind the practice of showing cetaceans playing human tricks for a human audience. Itīs time that marine parks recognize that cetacean captivity is wrong and without educational value. Itīs time they use their facilities and specialists to join the race for animal welfare, fighting against pollution, overfishing, and helping animals in cases of natural disasters and massive strandings. Marine parks could play a very significant role in educating the audience about the importance of preserving marine creatures, but, untill they give up the cruelty practice of capture, confining and training cetaceans for entertainment, their speech will remain valueless. Marine parks should teach with the example, advocating to help (rehab & release) stranded or wounded animals; and of course, captive animals and second generation animals. It would ve very important that all breeding programms came to an end.
I think that the audience buys a ticket to see the animals, their esence, not the rutines or fireworks. People assist to shows because thatīs what marine parks give them; in almost every facility is imposible to watch the animals between shows, in their "spare time". If marine parks change their attitude, people would start buying a ticket to see them heal animals (even people that for ethical reasons donīt assist to marine parks) and they will never have to try to sanitate their image again, because they would be doing things right. This would generate a new kind of education, respecting nature not trying to petting it.
"You can fool some people sometimes but you canīt fool all the people all the time" Bob Marley
This personal website was created in order to spread the word, specially in spanish, because in spanish speaking countries thereīs a lack of information and the captivity industry is growing. In the index section you will find articles, action alerts, etc, but in spanish. If you need information in your language, please visit the links and resources sections. Thanks very much for your visit.
Facundo Moyano