Headlines proclaiming that SeaWorld will be phasing out orca whale shows are almost as misleading as the alleged ‘educational value’ of the shows themselves.
In statements on their websites and during recent press conferences, SeaWorld claimed that they will be unveiling a “new orca experience” in 2017, saying it will be "informative" and designed to take place in a more natural setting that would carry a "conservation message inspiring people to act."
However, this does not mean that the shows will end, and it certainly does not indicate that SeaWorld is ready to give up animal exploitation or release orcas to sanctuaries.
“SeaWorld fully intends to continue forced breeding of orcas in captivity,” says David Phillips, Director of the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute. “They will continue to keep orcas in concrete tanks with no intention of retirement or release. They intend to continue to import and export orcas to other captive facilities.”
Referencing the recent decision by the California Coastal Commission to prohibit breeding, imports and exports of orcas, former chairwoman Sara Wan notes that “[SeaWorld] is still proceeding with their litigation against the Commission and with their captive breeding program as well, proving that this is all a PR stunt for their investors.” Earth Island’s IMMP is working with lawyers to intervene in any such litigation in support of the CA Coastal Commission.
The company’s announcement comes at a time when public pressure against SeaWorld has been growing – including a bill announced last week by California Representative Adam Schiff that aims to phase out orca captivity throughout the United States. Earth Island’s IMMP has been supporting a major lawsuit, arguing that the SeaWorld’s shows are deliberately misleading and are a far cry from being educational, as is claimed. The suit asks the judge to compel SeaWorld to stop telling lies about their orcas in captivity and to require SeaWorld to put out the truth about its orcas in captivity.
Many believe that SeaWorld’s new plans and statements by SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby amount to greenwashing. “People love companies that have a purpose, even for-profit companies,” Manby told SeaWorld investors. “Just look at WholeFoods … I don’t see any reason why SeaWorld can’t be one of those brands.” What he doesn’t understand is that the public is not simply upset with the tricks the orcas are forced to perform, or the appearance of their tanks – it is the captivity of orcas itself and the suffering it causes.
This leaves many wondering how the “theatrical” shows will transform into a more “natural” and “educational” experience. Manby assures investors that any capital expenditures to spruce up the tanks will be "minimal” – so, we can expect perhaps a few rocks tossed in the corners of tanks, but the tanks will remain, as will the social strife, depression and suffering of the orcas.
SeaWorld is not phasing out orca shows, they are simply calling their shows by another name – something that makes no difference for captive orcas.
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