SeaWorld downplayed ‘Blackfish’ backlash, claims investor
A SeaWorld investor plans to sue the marine theme park operator for allegedly artificially inflating its share prices by downplaying the ‘Blackfish’ effect.
Lou Baker of Michigan and his lawyers want to prepare a class action lawsuit on behalf of other SeaWorld shareholders to recover losses.
This followed SeaWorld’s admission last month that the ‘Blackfish’ backlash had affected attendance at its parks, which resulted in a fall of 32.9% of SeaWorld stock.
The suit is claiming damages on behalf of investors who bought stock in the company between April 2013 and August 2014.
From the outset, SeaWorld CEO Jim Atchison had maintained the controversy was not the reason for falling attendances and revenue.
He had said bad weather, an early Easter, and higher ticket prices were the main contributing factors.
Since the documentary aired in summer 2013, the company has faced months of protests from activists and several high profile entertainers canceled planned appearances.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025