Ocean's Daughter Conservation Alliance (ODCA)
  • Follow Us On Social
Ocean's Daughter Conservation Alliance
  • Home Page
    • Sitemap
  • Who We Are
    • ODCA Partners
    • ODCA & Gasparilla
  • Shark Research
  • ODCA Services
    • The Manzi Project
    • Mermaids
    • Education Programs
  • The Mermaid Tales (Blog)
  • Get In Touch
    • Privacy Policy

​Duunnn dun...

8/10/2017

0 Comments

 
​The sheer simplicity of the score was blockbuster brilliance.  It is both haunting and memorable. This ominous music masterfully epitomized the use of leitmotif by serving as a brief recurring sound to announce the presence of a shark. “Duunnn dun” will forever go down in cinematic history as a musical phrase that conjures up images of a bloodthirsty man-eating monster and has evolved into a pop culture phenomenon.


That successful score from Jaws set the standard for background music within shark films. Even educational documentaries are not immune to infusing a dangerous tone into otherwise harmless background music. While subtle in nature, this sort of music provokes a fearful mood within the audience. The result is powerful and extremely counteractive to educational messaging.
Sharks are constantly targeted with negative imagery even beyond the music. From biased and inaccurate news reporting, to sensationalized media stories, sharks can’t seem to shake off the perpetual villain stereotype. Unfortunately, the future of sharks in our oceans has hit a crossroad. Even the most subtle behaviors can have dramatic consequences for these animals. We must be vigilant with the narrative we are creating.


Study after study has taught us that a well-informed public possessing a positive attitude regarding a species is far more likely to support their conservation and actively engage in sustainable behaviors. Statistically, this demographic is also far more likely to address policymakers, donate to causes, and become an active champion for conservation.


With that said, our “More than Myth” campaign is dedicated to combatting the stereotypes with some positive shark imagery! 
0 Comments

Shark research in Bimini, Bahamas ​November, 2016

7/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Here's some images from our trip to Bimini last November.

Enjoy!
0 Comments

Shark research trip to Freeport, Bahamas ​July 2016

7/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Here are some highlights from our shark research trip to Freeport, Bahamas last year. 

Enjoy!
0 Comments

Dr. Heather Blackall at SharkCon 2017

7/24/2017

0 Comments

 
Dr. Heather Blackall speaking about shark conservation and research at Shark Con 2017 in Tampa, FL. Heather is the President of Ocean's Daughter Conservation Alliance. ODCA focuses on shark conservation and education, specifically, the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
0 Comments

Mermaid Symbols Across Cultures

7/24/2017

0 Comments

 
In the early stages of conceiving Ocean’s Daughter we had many inquire as to why we selected mermaids as one of our primary areas of messaging. As a global organization cemented in strong scientific doctrine, many suggested that this choice seemed to be a massive juxtaposition. The mere notion of embracing a mythical creature when promoting ocean literacy sparked some controversy. To be honest, that anticipated line of inquiry was actually the intended purpose. It would require an entire dissertation to trace the historical “origins” and key myths surrounding mermaids. Perhaps that is a task for another time! However, it is relevant to highlight a few significant examples to explain our stance.

From Ancient Greece to Disney

Throughout the ages, mermaids have taken on contrasting roles. Some cultures such as those of Ancient Greece and Rome held sirens with extreme reverence. Multiple accounts exist within the literature that testifies to these creatures utilizing mesmerizing songs and hypnotic beauty to captivate men. This allure allegedly led to many a sailor’s death. The stories are contradicting in terms of intentions. Some believe sirens to have meticulously planned this outcome, while others suggest that mermaids failed to realize that the sailors could not breathe underwater. Some during this era believed that mermaids would literally suck the life out of humans. Other literary accounts such as The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson depict mermaids in a more innocent and curious light. As we all know, Disney heavily capitalized on this! Modern times brand mermaids as playful fantasy.

Nereids

If one wanted to move away from mythology and fiction, there are a plethora of accounts rooted in a more historical realm. Pliny the Elder was a Roman scholar who described Nereids as “women with rough scaly bodies like fish” in Natural History. In a 5th Century AD book entitled Physiologus, a Greek unknown scholar dedicated a portion of the writing to portraying “The Nature of the Mermaid”. In 1493, Christopher Columbus recorded an encounter with three mermaids in his ship logs while sailing off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The widely accepted explanation is that Columbus actually mistook manatees for mermaids. In 1608, another explorer by the name of Henry Hudson also recorded an encounter with a mermaid in his ship’s journal while sailing through the Bering Sea off of the coast of Norway. In 1614, the infamous John Smith actually wrote about spotting a mermaid off of the coast of Massachusetts. Similar accounts are sprinkled throughout historical records by otherwise logical men. Yet despite these narratives, solid tangible evidence has consistently escaped scientists.

​Ocean’s Daughter Conservation Alliance has a team of professional mermaids available for performances and appearance at schools, assemblies, private events, community festivals, zoos, aquariums, and animal sanctuaries!We specialize in both dry and wet work! Our lead mermaid is the reigning International Conservation Mermaid, and was also crowned the official Mermaid of Gasparilla in 2016!

Oannes

Ancient Mesopotamian culture chronicles the existence of a merman by the name of Oannes. Legend claims he would rise from the depths of the Persian Gulf every morning and instill knowledge, reasoning, and wisdom to mankind. As a result of his efforts, humans were equipped with cognitive tools that led to scientific advancements such as agriculture, medicine, astrology, the construction of cities, and written language. While historians consider Oannes a mere myth, one cannot deny that the contributions from this ancient culture are authentic. The advancements were so beyond anything the world had previously known that Mesopotamia is hallmarked as the cradle of civilization. We are not suggesting that a mermaid should be credited with such contributions, but the symbolism there is appealing. Our mission at Ocean’s Daughter Conservation Alliance is to formulate practical conservation solutions that benefit both humanity and wildlife through an innovative blend of education and science. By serving as a global ambassador organization, we envision conducting groundbreaking research with the aspiration of deepening our comprehension of marine life. To accomplish this task, sophisticated levels of cognition are paramount. Therefore it was logical to adopt a symbol from a world long ago that embodies both knowledge and wisdom. Naturally, in Ocean’s Daughter tradition, we had to put on our own creative twist on it!!!!

Mermaids Through History

The purpose of this abbreviated lesson is to illustrate the numerous mermaid symbols across cultures and eras. At times, mermaids are labeled dangerous forces not to be reckoned with. They possess an inherent ferociousness that cannot be contained. At other times, mermaids represent extraordinary beauty with an almost supernatural charm. Other accounts leave readers with a sense of mystery. There is so much left unknown about these creatures. Here at Ocean’s Daughter Conservation Alliance, we do not adopt any particular stance on mermaids. Whether mermaid tails are authentic or mere tales are not for us to decide. Yet the parallels between their symbols and the characteristics of the oceans we are striving to protect are undeniable. In a way, mermaids are perfect metaphors for the various facets of the seas! So for that reason, why not mermaids?!?!
0 Comments

Shark Week 2017

7/22/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture

The most magical time of the year is upon us once again! Pinterest boards are swimming with all of the latest tutorials on preparing those perfectly shaped fondant shark fin cupcakes, how to construct the most realistic shark Jell-O cups, the ideal blends for ocean punch, and ideas for entertaining guests with a multitude of activities including those notorious seal themed games. Amity Island décor is selling out in party stores across the country as Cold Stone is gearing up to launch their annual Shark Frenzy sundaes. Of course you are doing all of the party planning in the comfort of those jawesome shark crochet socks you ordered off of Etsy to keep up with the latest in shark fashion! Seriously, how has Shark Week not yet been declared a national holiday?

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is arguably one of the most successful television programs of the summer. With a loyal cult following, it has transitioned a series of nature documentaries into a pop culture phenomenon. Unfortunately, in recent years we are witnessing what ODCA headquarters likes to call the “Jurassic World Effect”. That notion of “bigger, louder, more teeth” is dominating the lineup. Each year the boundary is pushed a little more and the content becomes even more sensationalized. Who can forget the infamous Megalodon mockumentary? We all know that drama sells, ratings pay the bills, and ultimately it is all boils down to entertainment. Yet somewhere along the way shouldn’t there still be glimmers of authentic conservation messaging? Shark Week was conceptualized to educate and spread awareness for sharks.

These magnificent apex predators are constantly struggling to escape the bloodthirsty man-eating monster stereotype that Jaws so generously bestowed upon them. Other films like The Shallows, 47 Meters Down, and Sharknado only perpetuate the label. Alarmingly, Shark Week titles seem to follow this disturbing trend. What message is Discovery Channel really sending to the casual browser who flips through the guide only to read titles like “Devil Sharks”, “The Great Hammerhead Invasion”, and “Great White Shark Serial Killer Lives”? “Lair of the Sawfish” sounds like the makings of summer’s next Sci-Fi horror film. The titles certainly do not echo an animal worth protecting!

More than ever, sharks desperately need positive media exposure to help combat the misconceptions fueled through cinematic productions and fears instilled in the masses through inaccurate media reporting.
 
With a brand as enormous as Shark Week, why are we still relying on title entertainment and gimmicks to keep an audience engaged? Instead of putting marketing dollars towards pun-filled Hollywood narratives ("Sharks in the City"), shouldn’t we be marketing sharks as an apex predator worth saving? The current lineup and those of recent years does little more than portray sharks as villains plotting against humanity. Like it or not, the future of mankind is closely intertwined to the survival of sharks.

It is time for Shark Week to start making some real waves.  Can we please stop recycling the same tired content? Isle of Jaws is becoming the new Air Jaws. Discovery Channel employs some of the most talented videographers on the planet and consults with brilliant research minds. It is time to get a bit more creative and move beyond worn out sequels. Instead of analyzing the same series of shark attacks yet again, why not launch a new line of inquiry? How about investigating the disappearances of our deep water sharks as they are being brutally slaughtered for their livers to create cosmetics like lipstick? Want a little more Shark N Awe? Let’s showcase the true horrors of the finning industry. Visual imagery is one of the most powerful tools that a conservationist can utilize to convey a message.

Why can’t we get back to entertaining while also educating? There are so many shark species to choose from. How about a little more diversity! Unleash the power of a camera in a way that provokes thought and inspires meaningful change! 

Everyone knows there ain’t no party like a shark week party, but let’s walk away from that week-long fiesta with a compelling reason to care! Use the programming to evoke positive emotions towards sharks! We should be living every week like it is shark week if we want to save the oceans before we hit that point of no return! 
Picture
1 Comment

Gasparilla Time in Tampa!

1/28/2017

0 Comments

 
The annual re-enactment of Tampa Bay’s historic pirate invasion is upon us! On Saturday, January 28th, the Jose Gasparilla will lead an impressive fleet across Hillsborough Bay and sail towards downtown. Facing cannon fire and legendary pirates, the Mayor will be forced to surrender the Key to the defenseless city once the salty Krewe storms the Tampa Convention Center. To celebrate this monumental conquest, a Parade of Pirates ensues down Bayshore Boulevard where crowds in the hundreds of thousands gather to witness the third largest parade in the United States.  Beads and doubloons are thrown to cheering citizens who are eager to get their hands on some of the fabled booty!   


Yet in a town governed by pirates, there are bound to be a few mermaids! Westchase Freebooters adopted the mythical creature as their symbol in 2003. Alluring sirens are so vital to their origin story, that you can find them riding along at every parade. This year, the Mermaids of Gasparilla are excited to announce a new look! Under the direction of their Captain Eric Holt, Westchase Freebooters has collaborated with Ocean’s Daughter Conservation Alliance (ODCA) to train a team of elite professional mermaids to participate in both the pirate invasion and also serve as community ambassadors throughout the year! As part of this re-branding, MerrowFins Mermaid Tails by Matthew Quijano, has customized professional grade silicone tails that are reminiscent of the Splash era while simultaneously infusing pirate imagery!


We are pleased to introduce the team of exclusive mermaids!
Picture
From L to R:
Dr. Blackall is proud to be training the team of Freebooter Mermaids. She is the reigning International Conservation Mermaid, and was crowned the official Mermaid of Gasparilla in 2016. She possesses a PhD in biochemistry, and a M.S. in veterinary medicine. Her primary research areas revolve around animal assisted therapy, particularly psychoneuroimmunology of dolphins. Other passions include social learning theory of killer whales, crocodilian behavior, and shark genetics. In conservation circles, she is known as the #sharkweekmermaid!
 
Crystal is a Florida native, and was raised in the Tampa Bay area.  She is a proud graduate of the University of Tampa and is actively involved in various alumni events including homecoming activities and most recently the new entrepreneurship program and facility. She is also an ambassador for Best Buddies, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She serves as a volunteer for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, and is also a sponsor of the Gasparilla Music festival.

Katie is a young professional originally hailing from New Jersey. She is loving life in Tampa Bay and enjoys environmental conservation. Her past experiences included traveling to Bimini, where she had the opportunity to swim with and learn about sharks. While there, she also participated in the Lionfish Bash, benefiting the Woody Foundation. 
 
Kelsey is passionate about the ocean and is especially interested in global conservation efforts.  She previously dedicated time to volunteering with Clearwater Marine Aquarium. She is a former competitive swimmer, and is active with IRONMAN. She enjoys participating in community events, and is extremely plugged into the Bay Area.
 
Allie has been instrumental in organizing the new team.  She is active in the vibrant Tampa social scene and many of you will recognize her from previous parade seasons! As a young professional, she aims to defy expectations and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. In her downtime, she enjoys taking in local sporting events and music productions. Born and raised in Jacksonville, by way of the Midwest, she made southwest Florida her home in 2009. Allie is involved with various networking groups in the Bay Area. She is also an avid traveler!
 
To assist the mermaids in traveling from one event to another, they rely heavily on their “mer-handler” Greg. He is the C.F.O. of ODCA, and proud member of the Westchase Freebooters. He has a background in veterinary medicine and management, as well as a passion for sharks. Greg serves as the safety diver for all underwater activities and is also the chief videographer during research expeditions. When not in the field, he collaborates with local aquariums and assists with maintaining the tanks. Greg also works closely with dive charters and shops to educate on the importance of eco-friendly tourism.

With placement on float #7, be sure to watch for the official Mermaids of Gasparilla this Saturday! Outside of the invasion, the mermaids are available for conservation talks, public appearances, festivals, and community outreach programs.
0 Comments

Lolita and the Law

2/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Anti-captivity activists are celebrating a recent decision by NOAA that declares Lolita (a Southern Resident Killer Whale) be covered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Applying the ESA to a captive orca is a monumental step, but this unchartered territory needs to be navigated with scientific wisdom and careful consideration. Lolita has spent the past 44 years in captivity, largely residing at the Miami Seaquarium. She is believed to be one of the oldest captive orcas living in the United States.

As an organization, we are not against captivity. When housed properly, captive animals can lead psychologically sound, enriching, healthy, and rewarding lives. Please refer to our Blackfish essay. Yet, we do find that the circumstances in which Lolita is presently housed to be less than satisfactory. We do not support the criteria utilized to outline her current care. Her current tank is too small by expert suggested standards, and keeping her in the equivalent of solitude confinement is contradictory to how this species has evolved. Without question, her situation does require immediate attention. Yet this is a complicated scenario.

Many well-intentioned members of the public are calling for “release at all costs”. This new NOAA declaration actually opens the doors for such a lawsuit to emerge. Before going down that road, we STRONGLY urge everyone to temporarily check emotions at the door and consider the possible outcomes. As we are monitoring these events, we are viewing comments such as “Lolita can finally be reunited with her family” as reoccurring themes. This is a fairytale mentality. Sadly, this unscientific way of thinking will only get Lolita sentenced to a slow agonizing death. Remember Keiko’s fate? Let’s not make the same mistake twice!

Lolita has spent 44 years in total dependence on humans. She possesses intense bonds with her trainers and husbandry team. Sudden severing of such ties would psychologically and emotionally impact this animal on a tremendous level. The oceans can be a harsh and unforgiving environment. In the wild, orcas possess complex hunting strategies and work together in intricate formations to feed. Lolita does not possess exposure to these practices, nor support from fellow orcas. A new pod will not simply welcome her in because humans wish for it. For 44 years, her sushi grade food has been served up by mankind. She does not possess the necessary hunting skills to be successful in the wild. These basic survival skills were not cultivated. Furthermore, her immune system has adapted to highly filtered water. Exposure to high levels of toxins, pollution, parasites, and other contaminants found in our oceans would be detrimental to an animal that has spent so long in captivity. Releasing this animal into the wild or a sea pen is not the solution. Energy, time, and money would be better served (and in Lolita’s best interest) to create a more enriching, bigger, and conducive captive environment. If the Seaquarium cannot provide that, then maybe another organization should step in.

If the outlined reasons are not sufficient enough to protect Lolita from release, the ESA will have their hands full with their own ruling. Section 9 prohibits against "take" of a protected animal. This circumstance is unique in that the animal is already in captivity. A legal case could be made that seizing a protected animal and releasing it into the wild is a violation of this "take" clause. The waters are muddy and regardless of where a person stands on captivity, everyone needs to focus efforts on handling this tricky situation in the best interest of Lolita. Decisions need to be rooted in science and veterinary knowledge instead of emotion and delusion.

0 Comments

ODCA Official Stance on "Blackfish"

2/3/2015

0 Comments

 
There is no doubt that “Blackfish” has been generating extensive hype and controversy. I cannot continue to remain silent after carefully evaluating the claims made, listening to all of the SeaWorld bashing, and doing my own extensive independent research on the subject matter. It is time to address some of these allegations. This statement is intended to take a hard look at some of the more disturbing claims and respond with a lighthearted reply that encourages independent thinking. It is not intended to offend, but is instead designed to elicit an educated evaluation. I am fully aware that many of our comments will contradict the “popular opinion”. We are not in the business of making the popular choices, or being the trendy conservation group. We believe in calling the hard shots, and making the most ethical and scientifically accurate decisions possible. Please keep in mind that the following reflects the official stance of Ocean’s Daughter Conservation Alliance, but does not necessarily reflect the views of any of our partners or sponsors.

Allegation (A): SeaWorld is too concerned with entertainment

Response (R):

Yes, SeaWorld is a highly profitable and successful force in the entertainment arena. “Blackfish” does a fantastic job at demonizing all forms of animal entertainment and depicting an evil corporation that is nothing more than an aquatic circus revolving around dollar signs. We find this to be a highly ignorant and unfair inference. There is true value in education through entertainment. We truly believe that the most effective conservation is obtained through connecting individuals with species in a meaningful and personal manner. Yes, in theory Orcas can be observed by way of eco-tours in their natural habitats. Yet how many families possess the money and means to travel to these natural habitats? It just isn’t realistic. The bottom line is animal related shows of all kinds bring biology and zoology books to life. They enhance education and inspire people to become involved on a personal level. There is one quotation by Baba Dioum that we reference in our ODCA core values that states “In the end, we conserve what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught”. Countless children were taught to love Orcas through SeaWorld “entertainment”. Many of whom grow up to be pioneers in marine biology! Entertainment is not heartless and does have a place in conservation when done responsibly.

A: Orcas do not belong in captivity

R:

We are strongly against taking Orcas out of the wild. In this day and age, there is absolutely no reason to remove these animals from their natural habitat. With that said, we are NOT against keeping Orcas in captivity if done PROPERLY! “Blackfish” leads the general public to believe that SeaWorld makes a habit out of taking animals from open oceans. That simply isn’t true. The vast majority of the killer whales in SeaWorld parks were born in captivity. In fact, it has been 35 years since SeaWorld has collected an Orca from the wild. We will agree that once upon a time the methods utilized for such acquisitions can now be considered barbaric in nature. No argument there! The reality is that with very little knowledge on an animal that had yet to be studied in any detail and with limited technology these were the industry standards at the time. While it does not justify the practices, we do not feel that an organization should be punished decades later for choices that were made based on the science available at the time those choices were made.

Captive Orcas have enabled a more sophisticated understanding of animal behavior and health that far outweighs what could have been accomplished by naturalistic observations in wild habitats. Any true scientist can testify to the unpredictable and difficult nature of field studies. We do not wish to minimize the importance of such work, but feel it is important for the general public to understand just how unreliable executing such studies can be. This is especially true when considering the waters in which these particular animals dwell. You can wait days or even weeks before finding a group of whales. Don’t even get me started on trying to fund such research projects! Projects are extremely expensive and funding sources are highly competitive with fewer and fewer options available during a tight economy.

I personally know a number of former and current SeaWorld trainers. Each one is dedicated, passionate, and puts the animals entrusted to them first. It is our stance that SeaWorld personnel does an effective job at properly caring for their animals. We are not claiming perfection. I do feel that as an industry, there are opportunities for improvement in certain areas. The reality is that accidents happen. They are tragic, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of anyone who has faced a loss of this kind. Yet when you consider the magnitude of an animal that size, there are inherent risks. Trainers are not forced into this profession and each is fully aware of the risks associated with this line of work before embarking on their chosen career path. Take another animal industry for example….equestrian accidents occur regularly and often involve injury or death. Does this mean we should ban all riding interactions?

A: The tanks are like bathtubs and that is just cruel.

R:

In comparison to the ocean obviously the tanks are substantially smaller. The reality is that they do provide ample space for an animal of this size to lead very healthy and stimulating lives. They have room to exercise and swim and are by no means cruel. Did you ever stop to compare the proportions of an Orca tank to the enclosure size of other exotic animals in captivity? Do you think a zoo’s elephant enclosure parallels that of it’s natural habitat? They can travel much farther on a daily basis than what an enclosure permits. What about those of you who possess a pet bird? Do you really think that clipping wings and putting a bird in a cage is any different? What about your child’s pet guinea pig? Ever see the sizes of “standard cages” for most domestic pets? How about those of you who own aquariums? I can guarantee that in the wild those fish would swim much farther distances than the space your aquarium allows. As a side note, how many of you ask your local pet retailer if your fish were collected from the wild or if they were hatched in a sustainable fish farm? I bet that thought didn’t cross most of your minds. These animals must undergo the same potential stresses as any other during this collection process. Does that make you a cruel person? What really bothers us about this claim is the utter lack of consistency in beliefs and pure hypocritical nature of this allegation. There is a massive double standard with this thinking. If you are going to take a stance about something, then at least do the courtesy of being consistent with it!

A: SeaWorld forces these animals to act as slaves, performing in shows and doing stupid tricks.

R:

Again, this is a false allegation. SeaWorld does not FORCE any animal to perform. They are not deprived of food or starved because of failure to comply. Yes, some of the “tricks” are not natural behaviors but that does not make it cruel. It is a form of enrichment and contrary to what “Blackfish” would have you believe, the animals actually enjoy it. These behaviors are taught based on a number of scientifically evaluated psychological principles including reinforcements and conditioning. Don’t believe me….how many of you possess a dog? When you teach your dog to shake is that a natural canine behavior? Nope, but that doesn’t mean you are enslaving your precious pet. I possess a number of pets (both exotic and domestic) and each are treated like children. My Sheltie loves doing tricks and finds engaging in such behaviors to be fun. There are times she will come over and give me her paw completely unprompted. How many of you dress your pets up from Halloween, or put a sweater on your animal for walks on cold days? That is definitely not natural but it doesn’t make you an irresponsible pet owner either! Why is it okay to teach a canine a trick but not a cetacean? So for those of you wanting to jump on the “Blackfish” bandwagon, consider if you are violating the very premises that you are supposedly taking a stand for! Instead of allowing yourself to be manipulated by illusions, consider what the underlying message truly are.

A: The scene regarding separating a mother from her calf!

R:

We will agree that this footage was heartbreaking. It will more than likely make you cry which is exactly what it was designed to do. The “documentary” provokes strong emotion but this is merely a clever disguise to hide the lack of actual research and facts! It using such gut wrenching images to build a case for a very subjective agenda. It is extremely effective at accomplishing the intended reaction, but tears do not equate to truth. With that said, we do not condone separating a mother and calf. This is absolutely wrong and can do a great deal of psychological damage to the animals. It is not acceptable practice! Yet SeaWorld does not condone separating mothers from their calves either. This is NOT their standard practice and is only done so in the event of a health emergency. Every reasonable effort is made to reunite mother and baby as soon as possible upon rehabilitation.

A: SeaWorld is not educational

R:

SeaWorld is a world leader in education and research. Their parks are filled with opportunities for learning including many interactive experiences. Much of the park learning does require an individual to take the time to actually read the posted messages accompanying an exhibit but we live in a culture where people want to be passive observers, having information spoon fed to them. Laziness does not constitute lack of education. SeaWorld also does a fantastic job at creating curricula that is FREE to educators from PreK all the way through high school. The vast resources and lesson plans publicly available for download are incredible and utilized by teachers worldwide! A lot of time and money goes into this endeavor. There are also practical trainings and seminars available for educators at all of the parks. What about the more than 9 million dollars that SeaWorld has spent since 2003 alone to fund external research projects aimed at education and conservation? “Blackfish” fails to mention any of this!

A: We should just release them back into the wild

R:

This belief really embraces just how uneducated the views from this “documentary” truly are. As highly social creatures, it would be cruel to sentence these animals to a life of solitude in an open ocean. These are animals that possess a high level of intelligence and teach behaviors to younger members of the group as they reside in tight units. Are we really so naïve as to believe a wild group of killer whales will simply adopt a new and strange animal into their group? The reality is they would more than likely be bullied or killed. Still in denial? Let me give you a side of pixie dust to go along with your fairytale! Then there is the whole sea pen argument. Captive Orcas dwell in highly filtered water. They are provided with restaurant quality food, and closely monitored by a team of veterinarians, marine biologists, and trainers. Our oceans possess pathogens, parasites, and contaminates that these animals have never encountered before. Chances are that the immunity levels are just not there. Seems like a death sentence to us. Do we want to discuss the overwhelming new stimuli (vibrations, sights, sounds, etc.) that these Orcas would suddenly be subjected to or should we just move on to the next point?

Closing Thoughts:

It is very alarming to me to witness the number of people suddenly boycotting SeaWorld because of this “documentary”. The other pet peeve that I have is the sudden number of Orca experts popping up all over the place. Watching a documentary does not make you an expert nor does it furnish you the luxury of being qualified to suddenly speak on behalf of the subject matter. We mean no disrespect in that statement, but it truly undermines those who have dedicated countless hours to hands-on experience with the species, or those who have dedicated years to pursuing an academic degree learning the intricacies of specific animal behavior and medicine.

Before you continue on your ‘”let SeaWorld suffer” campaign please stop and consider the ramifications of your actions. You are not hurting the higher ups or management teams. You are not teaching anyone a lesson. You are, however, hurting thousands of innocent animals. Animals like JJ the orphaned gray whale calf that required 14 months of expensive rehabilitation prior to being stable enough to return to the wild. By the way, this successful release marks one of the largest rescued animals ever returned to the wild. You are dismissing the more than 20,000 oil victim penguins that were assisted in 2000 after the Treasure oil spill in South Africa. This does not even account for the more than 700 orphaned penguin chicks that were given a second chance after this tragedy because of SeaWorld efforts. Who was there to assist after the BP oil spill? Yup, that was the SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team! How many of you knew that SeaWorld created an Oiled Wildlife Care Center? In the midst of your judging, have you even bothered to look at the work that the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute does an an annual basis? Need some more examples? Consider the over 300 cold-stunned endangered sea turtles that SeaWorld rehabilitated in 2010 after a record setting cold snap. Your boycotts are hurting animals like Valentine, the sea lion that was heartlessly shot by fishermen in 2012. Again, SeaWorld was there to help. They removed the bullet to the flipper, treated the severe wound, and successfully returned this precious animal to the wild after successful rehabilitation. I could go on and on with examples. Yes, SeaWorld makes a lot of money but it takes a lot to finance these sorts of endeavors. They are so much more than just an entertainment park but you won’t hear about that in “Blackfish”. How are future victims going to receive the state-of-the-art veterinary care and expensive rehabilitation needed to survive without corporations like SeaWorld?

The bottom line is that “Blackfish” does very little to actually seek out the truth. It is a highly subjective film that relies on provoking emotion to gain blind loyalty instead of actually investigating the issues at hand. There is a very specific agenda to this film and it is well masked in shocking images that are both unreliable and at times outdated. We live in a society that promotes blind acceptance of information as fact. This zombie-like mentality needs to stop! People need to wake up and learn to critically evaluate information for themselves. The purpose of this open letter is to encourage people to start analyzing information and doing research for themselves before reaching a conclusion. It is an attempt to highlight inconsistencies in thinking, and promote concrete stances. You do not have to agree with us, but please make sure you fully understand just what you are aligning yourself with and the consequences of those decisions. We do not want you to accept our stance as gospel truth either just because you read it on the internet. Do your own homework! We are confident the data will enlighten you!


0 Comments

    The Mermaid Tales (Blog)

    You are here: Home / Blog

    Author

    Heather Blackall has a PhD in Biochemistry, and a Master's in Veterinary Medicine.

    She was crowned the Official Mermaid of Gasparilla in 2016. 

    Archives

    August 2017
    July 2017
    January 2017
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Mermaids
    Sharkcon
    Sharkcon 2017
    Shark Research
    Sharks

    RSS Feed

Home
  • Sitemap
Who We Are
  • ODCA Partners
  • ODCA & Gasparilla
Shark Research
ODCA Services
  • Mermaids
  • Orion's Guardians
  • Education Programs
The Mermaid Tales (Blog)
Get In Touch
  • Privacy Policy
Picture
ODCA's Shark Research is supported through charitable giving.
ODCA is a US-based 501(c)(3) charity.
All donations are tax-deductible. 

 Ocean's Daughter Conservation Alliance (ODCA)
© 2017  |  All Rights Reserved