Blackfish

I watched the CNN documentary Blackfish this weekend, and wanted to recommend it to anyone who still believes that the mammals of the sea, whales and dolphins, should be kept in captivity. The film effectively documents the tragedy of large organizations like Sea World that attempt to keep Killer Whales in captivity for show – there are billions of dollars at stake. The tragedy is twofold – it's a tragedy for these beautiful, intelligent creatures to be captured from the wild and forced to live in prison for no reason other than to make money and entertain humans; it is also a tragedy for the trainers and their families who have fallen in love with these animals and have been injured or killed. I must say, it can also be considered a tragedy for us, the unsuspecting and uninformed public, who believed the myth that Sea World, Disney World, and other aquariums were protecting and preserving these animals. The film is admittedly biased, (As I am), but it still attempts to show both sides of the issue.

I remember going to Sea World as a young boy, totally amazed and infatuated by the Dolphins and whales – their beauty and their intelligence. Yes, it's true, had not these animals been captured in the wild or raised in captivity, I would've not been able to see them up close. However, I could've easily watched documentary films about these creatures and learned just as much. I could've read a book and felt their presence and beauty. I do remember watching them swim in their small pools and wondering if they were "happy." NO, they are not happy! They are prisoners, isolated from the open ocean and kidnapped from their families. They should not have to suffer their entire lives, so that little boys and girls can receive a few minutes of awe-inspiring entertainment. How selfish and self-centered we are...
Watching this documentary prodded me to return to two of my earliest attempts at writing fiction – Dolphins Dance and Sealand 1001. In both of these stories, I tried to convey the beauty and intelligence of Dolphins and whales, and tackled the issue of protecting and preserving the ocean and these beautiful creatures. Please consider checking them out on the Amazon, available in print and Kindle version.