SeaWorld Spreading Misinformation About Empty The Tanks

Busted Again. SeaWorld Continues to Spread Misinformation to Manipulate Public Opinion 

Interview with #EmptyTheTanks Founder, Sea Shepherd Volunteer & Cove Guardian, Rachel Carbary 

I guess if you're a multi-billion dollar corporation that has profited greatly from marine mammal captivity; and if weaving corporate misinformation into the public discourse to manipulate customers has been a standard practice for 50 years, what's one more whooper, or two? 

It's been said that the SeaWorld Public Relations  department is the "Gift that Keeps on Giving." And here is the latest example, from SeaWorld's fan page. The claims, packaged in an "Action Alert" were sent out into the world of social media, just this week: 

According to the Action Alert, "Activists are spending money to get big crowds out" to the global #EmptyTheTanks event scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2014. To cut us some slack, SeaWorld is not officially calling for a counter "protest against the protest," but instead, just wants you to buy a ticket and spend a few hundred dollars at their parks, in a show of solidarity with its dwindling number of followers. The billion dollar corporation is also calling all hands on deck to "TWEET, POST, and SHARE the love that day!" 

Lastly, and most incredulously, SeaWorld is claiming that the message of captivity (which they call "love") is a "greater message than hate and fear." Basically, the cited polluter of Mission Bay, decimater of the Southern Resident killer whale population, low wage paying, mega corporation is calling the animal welfarist community a bunch of haters. 

Wow! 

To get to the bottom of this, Jeffrey Ventre (JV) from VOTO has teamed up with the event founder, Rachel Carbary, for a few quick questions. 

JV:  Rachel, as a Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian, you've witnessed the annual small cetacean slaughter at the infamous "Cove." This experience inspired you to create the #EmptyTheTanks event which will occur this Saturday, May 24, 2014, in cities all over the world. Can you connect the dots for us and relate how "The Cove" and the captivity industry are connected? 

RC: My time spent in Taiji absolutely changed my life. I remember on my trip to Taiji in January 2013, the first time I saw with my own eyes a skiff carrying dolphin killers and dolphin trainers go into the killing cove.  They were all smiling and working together. The trainers go into the killing area to inspect the captured dolphins in order to determine if any of the animals there are worth buying. 

When they do not find any that meet their specifications, they leave and that whole dolphin family is slaughtered. 

This past November, when I was in Taiji for a second time, I watched dolphin trainers ride on a skiff with dolphin killers and dead dolphins on board. The slaughter exists because the captivity industry exists. Every time someone buys a ticket to SeaWorld or MarineLand or any park with cetaceans, you are encouraging the dolphin killers of Taiji to continue their bloody business. It doesn’t matter if SeaWorld doesn’t have dolphins from Taiji. Other parks in the world do, so if you go to any park that is using cetaceans for entertainment, you are encouraging new parks to be built in other parts of the world, like Dubai and those dolphins will be victims of Taiji’s annual slaughter and capture season. It’s simple supply and demand. Take away the demand and you eliminate the need for the supply.

JV: This is your second annual event. Last year the event was in July, but this year it's in May. In the USA, this corresponds with Memorial Day weekend. What is the rationale to move the date up, and do you anticipate it being a Memorial Weekend tradition? 

Rachel & her Sea Shepherd Colleagues at the 2013 #EmptyTheTanks Event

RC: We simply moved the date up to 24 May because it was a weekend that we knew there would be a great deal of people going to the parks. Holiday weekends are big business for these places so we wanted to hit them on a day when we knew we could reach a lot of people. The goal of Empty the Tanks is public awareness so of course we wanted to reach as many members of the public as possible. The date for the 3^rd Annual Empty the Tanks Worldwide has not been decided yet.

JV: You've participated directly at The Cove, and I presume you've seen Blackfish. Can you speculate how these two movies have "moved the bar" forward in regard to the animal justice movement? 

RC: I have seen both movies multiple times and think they are both such incredibly important films for everyone to watch. I think both The Cove and Blackfish did a great job of just opening people’s eye up to the truth. 

#Blackfish is on CNN the Thurs before & Saturday of  #EmptyTheTanks

Most people are so busy with everyday life and they do not stop to consider something as basic as the unethical decision to watch orcas doing circus tricks in a glorified swimming pool. They just see it as a family day out at the amusement park. Once they see these films their eyes are opened up to the truth. They see the dirty and bloodly truth behind the dolphin slaughters in Japan and they see what really goes on behind closed doors at the most well known marine park in the world. These movies have inspired so many people to speak out against the dolphin slaughters and the captivity industry. They have created a movement towards ridding our world of marine mammal captivity.

Rachel in Taiji, Japan, overlooking the captured dolphin holding pools

JV: SeaWorld is putting out PR saying that "Activists are spending money to get big crowds out at this event... we ask that you Tweet, Post, and Share the love that day. We can show that love is a greater message than hate and fear! 

#StandWithSeaWorld." That is pretty outrageous messaging. Can you comment on the various components of the corporate PR? 

RC: I honestly laughed when I read that statement from SeaWorld. 

It seems as though they are getting desperate to discredit the Empty the Tanks campaign. They are lying and trying to make it appear that Empty the Tanks supporters are being paid and bribed into showing up on May 24^th. Nothing more could be further from the truth. The only money that has been spent on Empty the Tanks is my personal money for the website hosting. People are coming because they support this campaign and the freedom of whales and dolphins. Its compassion, not money that fuels Empty the Tanks Worldwide. I do not blame or hate the people who still want to “#standwithseaworld”. I just think they have yet to remove their blinders and accept the truth about what kind of place SeaWorld really is. SeaWorld's bottom line is about profits, not conservation and animal welfare. This latest attempt to say that Empty the Tanks is spending money to acquire supporters just goes to show that money is the number one thing on their minds. They don’t understand that money is not what drives activists like myself and the amazing event hosts from around the world, we are driven by compassion and a sense of what is right and moral.

JV: Your event seems to be growing daily. I know that Carol Ray (of VOTO) will be in Chicago for an event. I've been invited to the Seattle and Vancouver events, and will likely attend one of those. How many cities are now involved? 

RC: Well I hope we see you in Seattle, which is the event I will be attending. 

Right now, we have 52 locations in 21 countries standing up against the captivity industry on May 24^th. We are united worldwide and we will get our message out that the time has come to empty the tanks!

Superpod Three Is Rapidly Approaching

The Superpod events are gatherings that occur on San Juan Island, WA, usually via Seattle, in mid-July, and are open to the public. Folks travel in from around the world, and make their own arrangements. Dr. Ingrid Visser won the "man-mile travel award" at the last Superpod, coming from New Zealand. 

MEET THE SOUTHERN RESIDENTS IN FULL SUPERPOD MODE HERE: 

The event features Pacific Northwest killer whales, including the famous "Southern Residents," but also transients, whose numbers are on the rise, and who are frequently seen from boats and shore. 

Photo by Dr Astrid van Ginneken, Co-Principle Investigator of "Orca Survey" based on San Juan Island

The people that attend the event include scientists, journalists, former trainers, naturalists, film-makers, bloggers, and people that want to see killer whales in their natural home. This year the event begins on "World Orca Day, Monday July 14," as declared by Dr. Visser. Scheduled events will occur Monday through Friday, but most folks will be departing on Sunday, July 20. 

Howard, Ken & Tim were all involved in Blackfish at Superpod 1 & 2. Photo via JV.

The first two Superpods were successful. Whales were abundant & they provided an incredible setting for pod members & three film crews, including from Blackfish, the Humane Society, and the Non-Human Rights project.  David Kirby utilized Superpod 2 to launch Death at SeaWorld to a full house of whale enthusiasts. There have been multiple presentations including from Drs Lori Marino, Naomi Rose, Astrid Van Ginneken & Ingrid Visser; also from Terry Hardie, Howard Garrett, Attorney Jeff Kerr, Attorney/Professor Steve Wise (of the Non-Human Rights Project), Ella Van Cleave, and more. Sam Simon broadcast his radio program from the Best Western Hotel in Friday Harbor on 20 July 2012.




Superpod gatherings occur in the "San Juan Islands" of Washington state, and (also) on "San Juan Island." The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the Northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. They are accessible to the public by water and air. Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island. It is where your ferry or sea plane will take you.



A Washington Stare Ferry Navigating the San Juan Islands. You drive your car onto this boat.

The waters between the islands are also the home to Chinook salmon, the Southern Resident killer whales' favorite food. J,K, and L pods, including Granny, the 103 yo matriarch, congregate each summer in a "Superpod gathering." Thus, this event is both a gathering of killer whales and "whale people," complete with annual customs, and festivities.

A Washington State Ferry at Friday Harbor. Photo by Jeffrey Ventre

The most common means of travel to Friday Harbor is by Washington State Ferry out of Anacortes. One advantage of this approach is that you can use your own vehicle for island transportation. But other options exist; and they include a high speed catamaran out of Seattle, called the Victoria Clipper.

This is a terrific ride, although it's a walk-on ferry only. It's a great option if you're meeting up with other folks that have transportation, or don't need a car. Of note, there are plenty of ways to get around on the island without a car, including bicycles, scooters, and island taxis.



Stunning View of Deception Pass. If you ride a Victoria Clipper Catamaran out of Seattle, You'll go under this Bridge

Lastly, one can arrive on a sea plane via Kenmore Air from Seattle. This will get you in and out of the event quicker than the other options, and the ride is stunning; definitely a great way to arrive. If you're a heavy packer, though, this ride has a weight limit. 

Kenmore Sea Plane takes off from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA, USA. Photo via Jeffrey Ventre

Regardless of which method you select, they all offer incredible approaches to a very special place, Friday Harbor and the surrounding ocean. 

Once there, various options exist for lodging all over the island. These include hotels, B&B's, camping, marina cabins at Snug Harbor, large boats, and rental homes. Over the years, we've found the most cost effective method (excluding camping) is to get a group in a rental house together. This year, the four of us at Voice of the Orcas, will be co-hosting a party with Jeff Friedman @orcawild on Wednesday July 16, at this ocean front location, below. The deck provides a great view of killer whales and the Haro Strait. It also serves as a picturesque backdrop for interviews, especially when whales are swimming by (which typically is a daily occurrence). Superpod events have historically attracted journalists, authors, and film teams. Wednesday's deck party should bring lots of folks together in one location, and hopefully some very special #Blackfish. 

Photo by Jeff Friedman @orcawild

Events occur daily, and include whale watching tours, documentary screenings, presentations, and nightly social gatherings. Below is a rough schedule to give an idea of #Superpod3. Keep in mind that it stays light very late in mid July 

DRAFT / ITINERARY / MORE TO COME 

MON:  Arrive. See whales. Meet & Greet Social Event in the Evening
TUES: Whale watching activities / Presentation(s) / Whale Museum Event 
WED: Whale watching / Presentation(s) / VOTO Party / media
THURS:  Group Whale Watch Trip on The Western Prince / Presentation
FRI:  Whale watching / kayak trips /Movie Screening / Party
SAT/SUN: Possible Movie Screening / Flex time / departure 

Lastly, slide show presentation topics & potential movie screenings have been discussed and will be announced when various experts confirm their travel plans. For reference, Superpod gatherings have become an educational real world setting for disseminating (actual) killer whale knowledge & facts to regular people from all over the world. Most folks consider the experience pivotal or life changing, including the four of us at VOTO. 

Use the comment area for questions. This itinerary will be updated as new information becomes available. 

The Truth about the Orca Welfare and Safety Act

The Truth about AB 2140, the Orca Welfare and Safety Act

By Naomi Rose Ph.D.

A lot of media articles have been published on Asm Richard Bloom’s AB 2140, the bill that would have ended orca performances and captive breeding. While SeaWorld, its lobbyists and public relations team may want to claim the bill was defeated, the fact is the bill is anything but dead.

The legislation was referred for interim study – a common process in the California Assembly and one that several successful bills have undergone (e.g., the bobcat hunting bill). The conversation SeaWorld has never wanted will continue and a new bill incorporating the study’s results will be introduced.

To be clear, AB 2140 was not the “SeaWorld Bill.” Or even the “Blackfish Bill.” It was the Orca Welfare and Safety Act and that’s not just semantics. The bill was never about closing SeaWorld or promoting a documentary. It was about protecting the welfare of captive orcas and securing the safety of the trainers who care for them.

Here is the truth. In the wild, orcas have life spans similar to our own – as Dr. John Ford writes in the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, “Mean life expectancy for females…is estimated to be approximately 50 years, and maximum longevity is 80–90 years. Mean life expectancy for males…is estimated to be about 30 years, with maximum longevity of about 50–60 years.” In captivity, most orcas die in their teens and 20s.

One of the most tragic consequences of killer whale captivity is the teeth damage that comes with it 

In the wild, fish-eating orcas have pristine teeth, while mammal-eating orcas’ teeth are slightly worn. In captivity, most orcas have broken or completely worn teeth from chewing on concrete walls and metal gates. These teeth must be drilled out and flushed daily (wild orcas don’t need dental care).

In the wild, mothers and their offspring share life-long bonds – in several populations, sons live with their mothers for their entire lives. In captivity, offspring are routinely and traumatically taken from their mothers, simply for management purposes. And while sons stay close to their moms in the wild, they do not mate with them, whereas at least one captive son mated with his mother, producing an inbred daughter/sister. This abhorrent incest happened because the social mechanisms that keep inbreeding from occurring in nature break down in the abnormal environment of captivity.

Unlike their wild counterparts captive females often do not chose their mates & are sometimes artificially inseminated

As for human safety, aggression against trainers has occurred far more often than is reported in official records, which alone document approximately 100 aggressive or potentially aggressive incidents in a 22-year span. There have been dozens of injuries requiring medical attention, several permanent disabilities, and four deaths in the 50 years orcas have been on display. This is in comparison to one or two injuries and no deaths recorded during human encounters with wild orcas, over at least two millennia.

These four young people all lost their lives to captive killer whales owned by SeaWorld corporation

SeaWorld historically has always blamed its trainers when interactions go wrong. The company has never taken responsibility for the fact that the job of training killer whales is inherently dangerous, a reality consistently emphasized by the courts as SeaWorld continues to appeal the citation it received from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau. Indeed, the US Court of Appeals has finally ruled in the latest appeal – against SeaWorld. The court noted that “SeaWorld…violated its duties as an employer by exposing trainers to recognized hazards when working with killer whales” and “Statements by SeaWorld managers do not indicate that SeaWorld's safety protocols and training made the killer whales safe; rather, they demonstrate SeaWorld's recognition that the killer whales interacting with trainers are dangerous.” Most damning, the 2-1 ruling stated that “SeaWorld acted irresponsibly.”


These incidents occur not because captive orcas are crazed killers, but because captivity puts trainers in unnatural proximity to the ocean’s top predator, in circumstances where these intelligent animals become frustrated and bored. Due to their massive size and formidable hunting tools (strong jaws and gripping teeth), orcas can injure and kill people even without intent. That’s the truth.

SeaWorld can end the orca show without losing business. Six Flags’ Discovery Kingdom did it – twice. In 1965, when SeaWorld opened the first Shamu exhibit in San Diego, we knew next to nothing about orcas. The first long-term study of this species in the wild didn’t start until 1973. Today enough is known to lead 40 respected whale and dolphin scientists to write to the California Assembly that the “science on the nature of killer whales and their compromised welfare in captivity – and common sense – has long since provided evidence that this species is inherently unsuited to confinement in concrete tanks.”

This bill will eventually pass, not because of a documentary but because it’s the right thing to do. It’s time for SeaWorld to accept the truth and end this inhumane and dangerous show.

Pro Captivity NOAA Scientist and Anti Cap Blackfish Cast Member talk to The Hack

Your Host. The Hack

On Wednesday 12 March 2014, "The Hack" Tom Tilley interviewed two professionals with different opinions on #BlackfishBill AB-2140. Tom's program reaches about forty-thousand listeners and originates from Sydney, Australia. 

His first guest, marine ecologist and NOAA scientist Robert Pitman spoke against the bill, stating that killer whales in captivity are "sacrificial ambassadors" for their species. 

His second guest, Jeffrey Ventre, a medical doctor in Washington State, spoke in favor of the bill, stating that there's no educational value in killer whales doing "bows to Madonna music." 

________________________________

Should California ban Sea World from using whales for entertainment? We look at the documentary Blackfish and legislation it inspired.

Radio interview here: 

Robert L. Pitman NOAA Scientist 

Marine Ecologist

Jeffrey Ventre MD, DC 

Former SeaWorld Trainer

Blackfish Oscar Night Party with Captain Paul Watson

Oscar Night for Blackfish in White River Junction, Vermont 

By Captain Paul Watson

Captain Paul Watson will Present the "Big Splash Award" to Blackfish  Director Manny Oteyza on Oscar Night

I don’t know about you but I’m deeply disappointed that BLACKFISH was removed from the final list of nominees for the best documentary film of the year. The five nominees are The Act of Killing, Cutie and the Boxer, Dirty Wars, The Square and 20 Feet from Stardom.

I have not seen any of them. In fact I have not heard of even one of them. I know nothing about them. I could not even find out where I could view them.

Yet I knew all about Blackfish before I even saw it. People were talking about it. It was being aired on CNN. It has gotten rave reviews and it was on the long list for the Academy Awards.

And then it was gone. Removed and I will venture to say – censored.

SeaWorld is a powerful corporation. There is a great deal of profit in enslaving and mistreating marine life, especially Orcas.

No Orca has ever attacked a human being in the wild. But Tilikum the captive Orca at Sea World in Orlando, Florida has killed three people.

I have swam with Orcas and once in the Straits of Bella Bella, British Columbia I was pulled along by an Orca when I grabbed hold of it’s dorsal. I have been in the water with them in Antarctica, Alaska, Washington State and British Columbia and never once felt threatened.

I even met Tilikum once, many years ago at Sealand in Victoria before he had killed anyone. He did not look happy then and I know he is not happy now.

Now why would an Orca, a species that has never harmed a human in the wild kill three people in captivity?

Simple. You can walk down a street in New York City past hundreds of people without having any cause to fear being attacked. But you can’t do the same in a prison exercise yard and turn your back on hardened criminals.

Tilikum is an angry whale and he has every reason to be angry. Kidnapped from the wild, taken from his family, imprisoned in a small concrete cell, fed dead fish, masturbated by humans for his sperm, forced to perform unnatural tricks for the amusement of paying customers and subjected to deprivation training techniques by human jailers.

I’m actually surprised more humans have not been killed by captive Orcas considering the way they are treated.

Sea World’s mistreatment of whales is bad enough but their deliberate exposure of trainers to angry whales is a gross irresponsibility.

And that is what this film is about.

People around the world have responded to Blackfish. It has been a hot ticket at film festivals, it has aired numerous times on CNN and yet the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, without any explanation dropped it from the list of nominees.

Why? One reason is that if it were to win or even be nominated it would have cost SeaWorld tens of millions of dollars. And Sea World has some very powerful allies in Hollywood.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society along with Oceanic Protection Society and the REVOLUTION clothing store of White River Junction, Vermont have decided to honor BLACKFISH on Oscar night in White River Junction on the evening of March 2nd – Oscar night.

On Oscar night I will be presenting THE BIG SPLASH AWARD to Producer Manny Oteyza who will accept on behalf of the film BLACKFISH.

Orca heros Gabriela Cowperthewaite, Dr Ingrid Visser, & Blackfish Producer Manny Oteyza

Manny Oteyza will be flying out from Los Angeles to accept the Award in White River Junction.

Now White River Junction is a small town in the Lower Valley of Vermont and every year REVOLUTION sponsors an Oscar Party usually attended by up to 350 people.

So while the decision is made in Hollywood to give the Best Documentary Film Oscar to one of five relatively unknown documentary films, the relatively unknown town of White River Junction will give an award to the very well known film BLACKFISH.

Like the Hollywood extravaganza, the White River Junction event is a Red Carpet affair with a limousine, tuxedos, champagne and elegant gowns.

And I would like you to all be involved. Simply post your comment here in support of BLACKFISH and we will post the comments at the event along with the number of people who give their vote to BLACKFISH as the best documentary film of the year.

Only 6000 people are eligible to vote for the Oscars. Let’s get more than 6000 votes for Blackfish.


Click the Like button to register your vote.

For BLACKFISH
Captain Paul Watson
Founder and International Director
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

2007 KGTV SeaWorld Investigation called "Secrets Below the Surface"

This fascinating article, with accompanying Q&A, first appeared here on 29 May 2007. It is particularly interesting to review its contents with the advantage of hindsight, in the wake of the 2010 tragedy, an ongoing OSHA investigation, and Blackfish. Thank you to KGTV.

Additional Q&A: 2007 KGTV Investigative Report on SeaWorld Killer Whale Display 

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2007 SeaWorld Investigation: Secrets Below The Surface

10News Looks Into SeaWorld During 7-Month Investigation

Posted: 05/29/2007

SeaWorld is a San Diego landmark, a cheerfully choreographed and skillfully marketed celebration of the sea.

Millions of visitors -- locals and tourists -- know very little about an industry built on the capture of killer whales, dolphins and other sea creatures.

Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research said, “I would describe the whole captive industry as being very secretive.”

10News began investigating the park following the killer whale attack during the Shamus how last November.

Investigators spent months obtaining and researching court records, safety reports, animal inventory reports and documents related to the various owners of SeaWorld over the years.

10News traveled to Washington state to learn more about the killer whale, the centerpiece of a billion-dollar business, and the man who started it all, killer whale hunter Ted Griffin, the man who captured the first Shamu.

Namu was the 1st orca captured for profit, 1965

Whales die in the hunt, that's true,” said whale hunter Ted Griffin.

In 1965, in the water alongside Seattle’s Pier 56, was the first ever killer whale performing show. It was the precursor to the Shamu success. The star of the show was a 20-year-old Orca named Namu.
Griffin captured Namu, trained him, rode him and showed people for the first time that killer whales were not evil but wonderful, intelligent mammals.

Griffin caught Shamu later that same year.

Griffin took film of the original Shamu to San Diego. At first, he leased the whale to SeaWorld, he said, because the park was afraid the whale would not survive for long. However, when Shamu became an instant hit, SeaWorld bought her outright for $100,000.

“I was interested in the whales and interested in making a good profit on selling the whales,” said Griffin.

Griffin made no apologies about the whales that died in the hunt, including Shamu’s mother. Griffin shot her with a harpoon and she drowned.

SeaWorld’s current owners, who had no involvement, said it is a sad, ancient history.

Brad Andrews, Vice President of Zoological Operations with Busch Entertainment said, “I am not even aware of the stories told back then and the validity of them, so I can’t comment on something that happened that long ago.”

Griffin was also blunt about the cover-ups that were orchestrated by himself and his hunting partner, Don Goldsberry. Goldsberry ended up working for SeaWorld, assigned to bring whales to the park. He was eventually barred from Washington waters because he hunted killer whales with explosives.

"If I have dead whales, I'm going to conceal it from the public, which is what I did,” said Griffin.

Griffin admitted at one time he and Goldsberry herded three full families of whales into a cove in Puget Sound, trapping them in nets. Three young whales and one adult tangled in the nets and drowned.

"I have 4 dead whales, what am I going to do with them?” said Griffin. What Griffin and Goldsberry did is well-documented.

Balcomb said, “They hired divers to slit open the bellies, fill them with rocks, put anchors around their tails, and sank them at night."

Balcomb runs the Center for Whale Research in Puget Sound where 49 whales were taken from the wild population.

"There's only 1 left, Lolita in the Miami Seaquarium. Basically, they've all died in captivity,” said Kelley Balcomb-Bartok of the Center for Whale Research.

Records from the center showed the whales died from pneumonia, drowning and infections. SeaWorld’s original Shamu died from an infection of her blood and uterus after living 6 years in captivity. She was the first of 51 Shamus.










Today’'s SeaWorld is a much-improved and healthier place for the whales.

Andrews said, “What’s really changed over the years are the husbandry techniques, the veterinary care, just like the evolution of modern medicine for people.”

That first Shamu’s legacy is the park today -- the largest and most successful in the world.

Andrews said SeaWorld has always been a healthy place for whales, but some documents 10News found tell another story.

10News found records during a 7-month investigation that SeaWorld has worked hard to keep out of public view.

Fascinating Q&A Session Below 

2007 KGTV Investigative Report on SeaWorld Killer Whale Display 

Blackfish Behind the Scenes

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE
ON TV GRAPEVINE

Category: Sammi's Interviews, Published on Saturday, 18 January 2014 03:53

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BLACKFISH: BEHIND THE SCENES

Blackfish: a work of personal transformation and courage “People are capable of changing what they do”

Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Along the way, director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite compiles shocking footage and emotional interviews to explore the creature’s extraordinary nature, the species’ treatment in captivity, the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry. This emotionally wrenching story challenges us to consider our relationship to nature and the ethics of capturing, breeding, and keeping captive these sentient fellow mammals.

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite with Dr John Jett in Park City, Utah

Banned together in the movement called Voice Of The Orcas, are Blackfish Cast and Former SeaWorld Orca Trainers: Dr. Jeffrey Ventre, Carol Ray, Samantha Berg, and Dr. John Jett. Voice Of The Orcas (VOTO) is a group of like-minded individuals working for the betterment of large captive marine mammals, and VOTO provides education and information as to how concerned people can help. The founding members of VOTO have this unified message, 

“Through experiencing captivity first-hand, we came to the conclusion that it is wrong.”

The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013, and was picked up by Magnolia Pictures, Dogwoof, and CNN Films for wider release, and has since been was released on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and Netflix.

Gabriela at the Los Angeles Premier

Since it’s release, the film has inspired many people to change their ideas on marine parks and many want to learn more about the conditions and ethics of captivity. From famous celebrities speaking out on Twitter, protests outside venues where whales are held in captivity, to changes to Pixar's upcoming “Finding Nemo” sequel entitled “Finding Dory”. And a wave of activity has also caught the headlines as recording artists and bands scheduled to perform at SeaWorld Orlando in 2014 have cancelled their upcoming gigs, including: Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Trisha Yearwood, REO Speedwagon, Martina McBride, 38 Special, and Trace Adkins. 

I had the opportunity to interview the filmmaker of Blackfish, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, and the cast. Here’s what they had to say…

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Filmmaker, “Blackfish”

What was the most important thing you learned from creating this documentary?  

Carol Ray & Gabriela Cowperthwaite in New York City 


I learned that people are capable of changing what they do, how they feel, if you tell them the truth. What does that say about humanity? It says that despite our differences, our impasses, we're all generally looking to be better. I think that's amazing. 


Jeff Friedman,  Manny Oteyza, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, & John Jett under some palm trees in Florida

And what did you learn about yourself through the process?


I think I realized that in this life, I want to leave things better than I find them. I didn't realize until well into the research that I was making a controversial documentary. Once I realized this and recognized the risks of taking on a billion dollar cultural icon, I said, "I can't make this documentary, I have kids." Shortly thereafter, I told myself "I have to make this documentary. I have kids." 



What will you work on next?

Some things are brewing, but right now I'm focused on making sure Blackfish continues to do good work out there in the world.

Former trainers & Blackfish cast Jeffrey Ventre, Dean Gomersall & Carol Ray on a Whale Watching Boat together

Jeffrey Ventre MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist

If you could give a direct request to SeaWorld, what would it be?

SeaWorld, please shift your attention from captive breeding to real world conservation. The Southern Resident orca population is endangered partly due to your collections from 1965 to 1976. Use your resources to help restore wild Chinook salmon, the main food of these killer whales. Help educate boaters to give these social creatures the space they need to forage and communicate. 

Jeff &John are on the red carpet for the Sarasota Film Festival; Opening Night at the Van Wezel Performance Art Hall

What can be done now for the orcas in captivity?

In regard to your (SeaWorld’s) current captives, let them live out their lives in dignity, without the circus stunts, pop music, and choreographed tricks. Place fertile females on oral contraceptives, and investigate the notion of sea pens for those animals that may qualify.

Carol Ray MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Pathologist

What does your family think of your involvement in Blackfish and the movement to help orcas? 

I come from a family of animal lovers, and they are very proud of my voice for the orcas and believe real good can come from me sharing my unique experiences. They've been so heartened to see the response to the film, world wide, and they share my hope that we will see an end to captivity in the near future. 

Carol Ray and Samantha Berg at a theater in Hollywood 

What do you hope people learn from watching this film? 

I hope that people gain a better understanding as to why orcas do not belong anywhere but in the wild. I hope people learn that Dawn's (Dawn Brancheau) death was an unnecessary tragedy, as is Tilikum's life. I hope that a new generation of children around the world will grow up understanding that it is morally unacceptable to confine such social, intelligent, self-aware and emotional beings for our entertainment and amusement.

Blackfish cast Jeffrey Ventre, Samantha Berg, & Carol Ray about to shred a mountain pass in Park City, Utah

Samantha Berg M.Ac, L.Ac, Acupuncturist

Tell Blackfish fans and supporters what they can do to help these orcas?

After watching Blackfish the most important thing you can do is DON'T BUY A TICKET (to SeaWorld or other marine parks with Orcas in captivity). Don't support any marine parks or aquariums the keep large marine mammals in captivity and tell all of your friends to watch "Blackfish" and read "Death at SeaWorld" (author: David Kirby).

Samantha Berg answers media questions in New York 

People can also visit the Voice of the Orcas "Blackfish Landing Pad HERE

This site lists things that everyone can do, including contacting your local politicians and encouraging all marine parks to stop their captive breeding programs. We have also included a list of established Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) who are already doing great animal welfare/anti-captivity work. It's important to support these organizations in any way you can. If contributing funds is not an option, most NGO's appreciate any volunteer time you can offer to help further the cause. 

Samantha Berg, Jeffrey Ventre, Carol Ray

How can folks join the movement and get future updates? 

People are welcome to contact us (VOTO) with specific questions via the Voice Of The Orcas website where we have posted plenty of information and materials to help people understand the realities of killer whale captivity. And you can follow us on twitter @Voice_OT_Orcas 

Jeff & Sam get ready to unfurl the Blackfish Poster in Orlando 

John Jett PhD, Research Professor


What risks personally and professionally did you consider when deciding to go public with the story told in Blackfish?

Jeff Ventre and I began speaking and writing about the realities of killer whale captivity prior to Blackfish. In fact our discussion, albeit private, began while we were both still employed at SeaWorld, and has continued through the years. I was personally pretty scared of some type of recourse from SeaWorld. My wife wasn’t very supportive of the idea at first as we were both afraid that SeaWorld or the industry would try to make our lives difficult. We’re both dedicated parents and certainly didn’t want our child to be dragged into some kind of mess. 

John Jett, Carol Ray, Samantha Berg at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City

By the way, the kind of recourse we worried about is currently happening at Marineland in Canada. The owner there is suing trainers for speaking out and telling the truth as they experienced and witnessed. In the end though, we (Jeff, my wife and I) knew it was our responsibility to speak the truth. Professionally, I was worried that my university wouldn’t support me. I approached them early on in the process; they ensured me that I had nothing to worry about as long as I told the truth. I’ve certainly appreciated their support. 

Drs John Jett & Jeffrey Ventre sandwich Samantha Berg at Sundance 

By the time Blackfish was released we had already been discussing the issue for some time so I was less worried about it. By then, the circle of people speaking out was also much larger, and I felt somewhat insulated by the fact that we were, independently, all saying the same things. 

Dr John Jett  on the beach

What else do people need to know that they may not already?


People need to know that stepping out and telling the truth is scary, especially when going against a huge corporation with endless pockets, and it is my belief, a vested interest in assassinating one’s character in an effort to maintain the status quo. It’s been scary for me because I have a family and a career to consider. I have a lot to lose. It’s easy to see why employees are afraid to speak out when they know things are wrong. 

I get it.