The article chronicles the evolution of the regulation of dolphinariums in Mexico, highlighting the contrast between legislative progress and corporate opacity. Although the implementation of transparency laws initially enabled the documentation of the health and epidemiological realities of cetaceans in captivity, authorities have since reversed this openness by classifying essential data as industrial secrets. This decision prioritizes the economic interests of companies over the public’s right to know, concealing not only reproductive techniques but also mortality figures that reveal the negative impact of confinement. The concealment of information prevents the scrutiny necessary to ensure animal welfare, reducing marine mammals to commodities subjected to strict control and reproduction solely for commercial purposes. By denying access to complete records, companies avoid accountability for abusive practices, such as forced artificial insemination, maintaining a monopoly that disregards the sentient nature of these animals. This case is pivotal for the open data movement, as it illustrates how government transparency can be dismantled by private interests under the guise of ambiguous legal frameworks. It demonstrates that access to public information is not inherent but requires constant vigilance against the commodification of knowledge. Without verifiable and public data, society lacks the necessary tools to demand ethical and legal accountability, perpetuating exploitation models that are neither sustainable nor morally acceptable.
Source:Published on 2024-03-21