SeaWorld: Nobody Wants To See Gloomy Whales In Small Pools

(RTTNews) - Theme park operator SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS), Tuesday said it continues to struggle with weak revenues and profit hurt largely by continued decline in attendance.

SeaWorld's total attendance for the first half of 2017 dropped by 3.8% to 8.93 million from a year ago. Admission per capita decreased by 2.1% to $38.09 from $38.89 in the prior year period. In-park per capita spending decreased to $24.65 in the first half of 2017, from $24.83 in the same period of 2016.

The company said the decline in attendance was mostly due to shrinking domestic and international attendance to the parks in Orlando, Florida, and San Diego.

The company said Orlando attendance was impacted by reduced national advertising and competitive pressures, while San Diego was affected by "public perception issues" which "resurfaced since the company reduced marketing spend on its reputation campaign."

SeaWorld's business has come under fire since the critical 2013 documentary 'Blackfish,' which was about Tilikum. The orca had dragged a trainer named Dawn Brancheau under the water to her death in his tank at the Orlando park. He also killed trainer at the now-defunct Sealand of the Pacific in British Columbia and a man trespassing on SeaWorld Orlando's property.

The documentary claims killer whales exhibit increased aggression during captivity. Among other problems, the whales are said to have shorter life spans. The film severely affected the aquatic amusement park's attendance and revenues.

Last year, SeaWorld announced that it will put an end to captive breeding of killer whales or Orcas amidst pressure from animal rights activists. It will not collect marine mammals from the wild anymore and it will not release the mammals to the wild or to confined sea cages.

For the second quarter, the company posted a loss of $175.9 million or $2.05 a share, compared to last year's profit of $17.8 million or $0.21. Revenues improved slightly by 1 percent to $373.75 million.