Children love traveling to SeaWorld. It’s always an adventure. Children smile at the whales cutting through the crystal clear waters.

However, the emergence of a documentary called “Blackfish” might discourage parents from taking their children to SeaWorld. Parents are left scratching their heads, as they question the humanity of keeping whales cooped up in steel cages.

“Blackfish” has stirred up some controversy that has surrounded SeaWorld. The film depicts the negative effects of orca whale captivity.

The film chronicles the story of a killer whale named Tilikum. In 1983, the whale was captured off the coast of Iceland and was trained to perform in various theme parks.

Through performing, between 1991 and 2010, Tilikum killed three people.  Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite said that she pieced the film together as a result of the 2010 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau.

“Blackfish” was intended to raise awareness about the danger and inhumanity of keeping orcas in captivity. The film does just that.

“Blackfish” shows the aggression of orcas as a result of captivity.  According to the film, there are over twenty captive killer whale attacks on humans that are documented. However, according to marine biologists, while in the wild, there are no signs of orca aggression.

SeaWorld is lashing back. Recently, they released a rather lengthy statement.

A portion of the statement that was released to CNN read, “Blackfish is billed as a documentary, but instead of a fair and balanced treatment of a complex subject, the film is inaccurate and misleading and, regrettably, exploits a tragedy that remains a source of deep pain for Dawn Brancheau’s family, friends and colleagues. To promote its bias that killer whales should not be maintained in a zoological setting, the film paints a distorted picture that withholds from viewers key facts about SeaWorld — among them, that SeaWorld is one of the world’s most respected zoological institutions, that SeaWorld rescues, rehabilitates and returns to the wild hundreds of wild animals every year, and that SeaWorld commits millions of dollars annually to conservation and scientific research.” 

In addition, despite accusations, SeaWorld denies that they neglect their killer whales. However, in “Blackfish,” the documentary shows that the whales are trapped in small steel cages for over twelves hours.

The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California marks the New Year. On New Year’s Day, the parade sparked outrage, as the SeaWorld float was featured. Sixteen protesters were arrested for revolting the SeaWorld float, which depicted a boy snorkeling with orcas above sea life.

In the past, trainers were permitted to swim with the orcas. For now, Congress has ruled that SeaWorld trainers must remain out of the water and cannot swim with marine life.

Nonetheless, the flame that ignited the debate will continue to stay lit. As of now, no one will budge.