To the Last Whales

SeaWorld, the marine-life-based theme park chain company that uses orca whales as entertainment, has decided to phase out its whale shows, meaning that the current generation of whales that perform backflips for park goers will be the last, and they will not be replaced.  The issue became a thorn in the side of SeaWorld after a stinging 2013 documentary, Blackfish, called SeaWorld's use of marine mammals for entertainment purposes into question. 

While I am happy to see SeaWorld end its inhumane use of marine mammals for amusing its visitors, the very idea of a theme park oriented around aquatic life - with rides and everything - nauseates me.  I'm glad to see SeaWorld start to take an active interest in preserving marine life at its parks and focus more on conservation, but seriously - does it make sense for marine biologists to present and study aquatic life in a tourist attraction with water rides and roller coasters?  What's up with an amusement park that just happens to have an aquarium?  Personally, I'd prefer to see state and municipal aquariums, funded by the public, that are open to all for research and study, without any profit motive, because in such institutions expanding knowledge of marine life and appreciating its importance is much more valued.  No one's out to make a fast buck.  So yes, let's have water -themed amusement parks, with all the water rides you can go on without getting seasick, but leave the dolphins, whales and sharks out of it.

Joy to the fishies in the deep blue sea . . . and the marine mammals too.