Stretched out in luxury on miles of white sand and the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Riviera Maya is a MICE tourism destination, both accessible and exotic. World class hotels in abundance offer lodging and conference space that are unsurpassed in excellence and which cater to the tastes and needs of any size or type of group.

But what are the practical reasons that MICE tourists choose the Riviera Maya as the place to hold their events? What makes the Mayan Riviera the best destination for event planners and those lucky souls that make it here?

The Sundeck Lounge facilities in Riviera Maya Park.

Easy Access. The international airport in Cancun is a convenient gateway to the entire Maya Riviera. A well-tried infrastructure makes transportation and the coordinating of events easy for planners and participants. Excursions are well run and easily available.

Outstanding Hotel and Conference Space. The region’s hotels are plentiful and superb. They dot the coast along the Caribbean Sea and offer all the services any group could want. This is a MICE tourism friendly industry, experienced and successful in hosting groups of every size and with varied tastes and needs. And, of course, groups will dine fabulously on world renowned Mexican food and a wide variety of international cuisine prepared by experienced chefs.

Unsurpassable Setting. The Riviera Maya is an incredible combination of perfect white sand beaches, crystalline Caribbean waters, pristine environments, adventure opportunities and luxury.

The Sundeck Lounge facilities in Cancun.

Of course, the main attraction in Cancun and Riviera Maya is its turquoise sea and the wide variety of water activities that can be done.

You can dive and snorkel on the world’s second largest barrier reef or skim across the water’s surface on an array of aquatic rides. If your group shares a dream common to many of the tourists to this area, you can also take the opportunity to enjoy swimming with dolphins in the beautiful sets offered by Dolphinaris all along the Riviera Maya, Cancun and Cozumel.

You might also be interested about how to swim with dolphins.

Another excellent choice for groups is the The Sundeck Lounge, by Dolphinaris: exquisite dining and drinks overlooking a tropical paradise, ocean view, palm trees and cavorting dolphins.

The Sundeck Lounge is a VIP area that includes an infinity pool, panoramic terraces, restaurant, fusion cuisine, premium beverages and of course, swimming with dolphins and permanent contact with one of the friendliest animals on the planet. It is available in the destinations of Cancun, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya Park.

Very modern and sophisticated space mixed with the swimming with dolphins experience is what makes this Dolphinaris feature ideal for MICE Tourism events. And, additionally, the premium service of food and beverages makes business groups enjoy a complete experience.

Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you!

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Uncover the magic beneath the water. Are you in Cancun and want to swim with dolphins?  With so many places and so many options it can be tough choosing the right place for you… But don’t fret about it, we will help you find the best place to swim with dolphins in Cancun!

What to Look For in a Dolphinarium?

Many times us, humans, tend to copy what others are doing. Sometimes it means wearing the same dress you saw Kim Kardashian posing with on Instagram. Sometimes you go to the new coffee shop because everybody is posting stories with their mugs and they look so cute.

Regardless if you’re a follower or a trend setter, we really want you to be conscious about choosing a Dolphinarium. When animals are involved in a choice that you are making, there are certain aspects you should care about. Don’t just pick a Dolphinarium based on its Facebook likes, or on what celebrity visited it recently and made it public.

Here are the details we think you should consider before you buy any Dolphin involving activities in Cancun, or anywhere in the world.

Socially Responsible?

As fun looking a Dolphinarium might be, there is one very important thing you probably overlooked: Is it socially responsible? Does it respect the animals? There are certifications that can answer these questions for you!

If a Dolphinarium has certifications and badges on their websites you should take a look at what they stand for. Here is one example:

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Here at Dolphinaris we care about offering you the best dolphin swims in Cancun. Not only do we give you unforgettable experiences at great prices, but we also protect marine life and promote its conservation.

That’s why we are part of associations such as the AMHMAR (The Mexican Association of Habitats for the Interaction and Protection of Marine Mammals).

So what exactly is the AMHMAR?

AMHMAR is one of the leading non-profit organizations in the area. Their main focus is to protect and preserve marine mammals that are under human care; at the same time, they promote the conservation of the oceans through education.

So the AMHMAR, as an organization, represents the main companies that handle marine wildlife and human interactions. The structure these companies are under is permanently fixed, and it complies with the current standards and certifications.

All of these details are strictly and constantly verified by the authorities.

AMHMAR’s values :

• Honesty and transparency at all times.
• Respect for norms and obligations without distinction.
• Social responsibility.
• Promote and practice the strict care of the environment and habitat.
• Promote lawful, orderly animal care and welfare.

AMHMAR’s liabilities:

• Environmental education: 

The sector raises awareness of the importance of preserving marine life by doing over 176 thousand free visits with educational purposes. And by organizing beach cleaning days. They also have a group of zoologists, vets and biologists, to help cure and rehabilitate stranded marine animals.

• Reproduction programs and life expectancy extension in relation to the wild:

Following a change of regimen made in 2004, no specimens have been captured anymore, as it is now illegal. Experts have made various studies in which they found that they increased life expectancy and decreased mortality by implementing the reproduction programs.

The animals went from living around 17 – 25 years, to turn more than 5o years in pristine conditions and under supervision.

• Investment, infrastructure, state-of-the-art technology and specialized personnel:

Over 2,400 millions of pesos have been provided in order to have facilities of the highest quality. As well as a perfectly trained staff made up of biologists and veterinary zootechnicians, that study and take care of our marine friends on a daily basis.

Each specimen has up to 1 million pesos put into its annual average investment for its mental and physical health.

• Regulation and compliance with the regulatory framework:

The members of AMHMAR are controlled by the Wild Life General Law and its rules. SEMARNAT supervises the work plans systematically and examines the habitats with the specimens to ensure their optimal conditions.

• Economic importance:

In Mexico, the habitats with marine wildlife present in them are crucial to the touristic sector economically speaking. More than 14,000 people are employed directly and indirectly. Up to 2.2 million people visit the AMHMAR’s associates installations yearly.

Responsible Dolphin swims in Cancun:

Our habitats host 288 individuals, and more than 60% were born under human care. This has been possible because of the conservation programs and the reassuring animal welfare we have implemented. Trust Dolphinaris for a once in a lifetime experience, and inform yourself about how you can contribute to the animals’ well-being.

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Dolphinaris’ five locations in Quintana Roo, Mexico, have achieved certification through the global American Humane Conservation program for the welfare and humane treatment of the animals under its care.

The American Humane Conservation program is the first-ever certification program solely devoted to helping verify the humane treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers across the globe. The program enforces rigorous, evidence-based standards of comprehensive animal welfare, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, animal ethics, and conservation.

“We are thrilled to announce the certification of Dolphinaris’ five Mexican locations under the American Humane Conservation program,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane President and CEO. “Dolphinaris’ dedication to meeting the highest standards of humane, verifiable and transparent animal care demonstrates to the public their leadership as a responsible steward of the remarkable animals living under their care.”

The American Humane Conservation program’s extensive criteria exhaustively verify the many dimensions of animal welfare and well-being, with areas of evaluation including: excellent health and housing; positive social interactions within groups of animals, as well as between animals and handlers; safe and stimulating environments, with concern for factors such as appropriate lighting, sound levels, air quality, and thermoregulation; and evidence of thorough preparation and protocols established to prevent and manage medical or operational emergencies.

“Our quality, ethics and professionalism have been key in achieving such important global certification,” said Leonardo Ibarra, Veterinary Services Manager, Dolphinaris. At Dolphinaris we are committed with the health and welfare of every animal under our care. We will continue working to maintain and constantly enforce the highest standards in humane treatment for our animals.”

For added rigor, Dolphinaris’ compliance with the American Humane Conservation standards was verified through an independent audit. You can read more about the American Humane Conservation program here: http://humaneconservation.org/

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, American Humane is the United States’s first national humane organization. For more information about American Humane, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.

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Guess what?

By 2050, by weight, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.

Appalling huh?

Just take a look at this infographic provided by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation:

So How Did We Get Here?

The Industrial Age gave us benefits. Life-changing ones. It’s part of the reason why you’re able to read this now.

But there have been consequences. And we’re still learning what they are today. The principal consequence has been pollution.

Did you know 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based activities?

(Check out this infographic below by Conserve Energy Future) 

How does the ocean get polluted? Let’s take a look at the different marine pollution sources.

Marine Pollution Sources:

1. Oil

We’ve all seen the nasty pictures from oil spills.

They’re devastating towards marine life. Remember the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

Here are the lives that were injured or killed by it:

• 25,900 Marine Mammals
• 6,165 Sea Turtles
• Unknown Number of Fish
• 82,000 Birds of 102 Species

However…

Oil spills are only responsible for 12% of the oil entering the sea.  More than twice that much comes from cities and industries.

How? Through waste runoff. (more on that later)

2. Fertilizer Runoff/Eutrophication

There has been a surge in seaweed production lately. This is due to a process called “eutrophication”.

It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t.

Take a look at the infographic above.

What does it show?

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus entering the ocean.

Where does it come from?

Fertilizer, pesticide, and animal waste runoff from farms and similar industries.

Why does this matter?

Because it causes excess phytoplankton growth. Before you know it, there’s a thick layer of seaweed growing on top. So much so, sunlight and oxygen cannot enter past it.

Life in the sea still requires sunlight and oxygen. Therefore, these areas become what are known as “dead zones”.

3. Garbage Dumping

   This is pretty self-explanatory. Garbage keeps finding its way to the sea. Some of it decomposes quickly. But…most of it does not. Including plastics.

In fact..

Plastic kills millions of sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals each year.

4. Toxic Chemicals

It may sound crazy now. But there was a time where the ocean was considered a dumpster.

Scientists thought it was large enough that we could throw anything into it safely. We’re talking pesticides, chemical weapons, and even radioactive waste. Yikes.

Thankfully, that begun to change in the 1970’s.

However, we’re still feeling the effects.

Today, almost every marine organism is contaminated with man-made chemicals.

5. Ocean Mining:

Every year companies try mining the ocean for silver, gold, copper, cobalt and zinc.

This creates sulfide deposits. The result? Increased toxicity in the region.

Marine Pollution Affects Sea Life:

I know, I know. That’s difficult to look at. Painful even.

But you know what? The truth hurts. Our lifestyles have led to this point. We have to acknowledge this. It’s the only way to move forward and correct our actions.

The best way to do that? Take a look at the damage being done.

Marine Animals:

As we discussed above, oil-spills, city runoff, eutrophication and pollution are killing marine life in large numbers.

But get this. It’s even changing their reproductive systems. So if they are somehow able to survive the pollution, their offspring won’t.

But the ripple of damage goes even further.

Coral Reefs:

You may have heard. Coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate. The truth?

We’ve already lost 27% of the planet’s coral reefs. Scientists estimate, if we continue on this path, that figure will double in 30 years.

That’s tragic because…

Despite only covering 1% of the ocean, coral reefs are home to over 25% of marine fish species.

How do coral reefs die?

It’s simple. Coral reefs live in tandem with algae. However, when that algae leaves the coral (due to all the reasons we listed above, pollution, runoff, eutrophication, etc), the coral becomes “bleached”.

Once bleached, it’s only a matter of time before it contracts a disease and dies.

Learn more with this great infographic provided by NOAA:

Human Health:

We should care about the ocean’s health. It’s where we get 70% of our oxygen. 97% of our water supply. It even absorbs 30% of our carbon emissions.

Need more proof we should care more about the ocean’s health?

Source: MastersDegree.net

Listen to this. Marine pollution can cause…

• Hormonal problems
• Reproductive problems
• Nervous system damage
• Kidney damage
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Heart disease

Great. Now that I have your attention…let’s start talking solutions.

What Can You Do To Help Stop Marine Pollution?

Spread Awareness

You can start by sharing this article on Facebook with your friends. Remember, what famed educator John Dewey once famously said: “a problem well-defined, is half-solved”.

In other words…we can’t solve what we don’t know is wrong.

Sound the alarm. Tell your friends. Spread the word. Tell them how marine pollution affects sea life.

The ocean’s health—and therefore the planet’s health—depends on it.

Support Organizations That Fight Against Sea Pollution

This part’s easy. Support an organization like Dolphinaris that gives a portion of every sale towards protecting the ocean and its inhabitants.

In fact, Dolphinaris does even more than that.

• It’s why they invite some of the top veterinary students from the States to participated in a study sponsored by Cornell University.
• It’s why they sponsored their own bottlenose dolphin conservation program alongside Universidad Autónoma del Carmen.
• It’s why they created the incredible audio-visual journey called Blu Ocean Care, to help spread awareness.
• It’s why the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) selected Dolphinaris to host their 2017 conference.

So that’s our guide on How Marine Pollution Affects Sea Life. Please do us (and more importantly the ocean) a favor and share this article on Facebook. Thank you so much!

For further reading on this subject, consider these great sources below!

Sources:

www.mastersdegree.net/ocean-garbage/

https://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Effects_of_Ocean_Pollution_on_Marine_Life

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ocean-pollution.php

https://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/pollution/

https://www.grida.no/publications/rr/our-precious-coasts/page/1294.aspx

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/19/more-plastic-than-fish-in-the-sea-by-2050-warns-ellen-macarthur

https://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/coral_facts/

https://www.divein.com/articles/ocean-pollution/

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