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New government marine wildlife code to help reduce dolphin disturbance

The launch today by UK Government of new guidance on how to act responsibly around...

UK government to extend ivory ban to stop the sale of orca teeth

Following the UK ban on the import, export and dealing of elephant ivory in 2022,...

Dead whale beauty products to be sold in Japanese vending machine stores

Antarctic minke whale alongside Japanese whaling ship. Photo © Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert Japanese whale hunting company,...

Arrests made following illegal whale meat smuggling from Japan to South Korea

Customs authorities in Busan, South Korea, have arrested six people for allegedly smuggling at least...

Is swimming with dolphins losing its popularity in Mexico?

New research by Mexican marketing consultants suggests that the popularity of swimming with captive dolphins appears to be waning in the state of Quintana Roo. Studies of visitor numbers to facilities in locations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya have shown a steady decline in recent years with less than 10% of visitors to the region in 2016 taking part in such activities.

There has been widespread criticism of the standards of many facilities which has led to tighter regulations. At the same time, increasing public awareness about the issues surrounding the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity have also had an impact.

There are more than 30 dolphinariums in Mexico holding around 300 dolphins, of which 16 facilities are in Quintana Roos. The latest figures come just weeks after Mexico’s Legislative Assembly took a significant step in the right direction regarding dolphin captivity in the country by announcing a ban on dolphin shows and dolphin assisted therapy in the Federal District of Mexico.

Find out more about WDC’s concerns with swimming with dolphins.

About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.