SeaWorld announced the stop of its orca shows, but is it enough?

After years of consumer pressure, SeaWorld announced this week that it is ceasing its breeding program for orcas and will no longer put them on display in a circus-type show.

Leading the fight against SeaWorld’s practice of putting orcas on display and breeding them has been documentaries such as “Blackfish,” and organizations such as PETA.

“With Blackfish in 2013, consumers are more aware than ever that SeaWorld’s tiny artificial tanks are detrimental to the welfare of these complex and sensitive animals,” Ben Williamson with PETA told KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don Show.

NBC News reports that SeaWorld currently has 24 orcas in its possession.

But in a statement, SeaWorld said that those orcas will be the last generation at the park. The company does not plan to release them into the wild or into larger sea cages, arguing that they have no skills to fight for food, or would be exposed to diseases they have no immunity to. The company said that it is responding to changing public attitudes toward the wild animals.

Why the big news? SeaWorld has been listening and we’re changing. Society is changing and we’re changing with it. SeaWorld is finding new ways to continue to deliver on our purpose to inspire all our guest to take action to protect wild animals and wild places.

Williamson said it is a good step in the right direction, but it is only one step and that many more need to be taken.

Don notes that the orcas are still going to be living in unnatural conditions.

“Instead of having the orcas come out and do the dancing bear routine, they are still going to be in the tanks and be an attraction and they are still going to drive people to the parks,” he said. “It’s not like the orcas are being taken out of the tanks – maybe just these particular tanks. They are still using them to drive a profit.”

Williamson agrees.

“We say that they have taken a step forward. But SeaWorld has to act now to move the orcas they have in their tiny tanks and other animals to sanctuaries – to a more natural life before they are forced to die as slaves in this so-called entertainment,” Williamson said.

“While they can never completely atone for the harm they have done, they can continue on this good step by immediately funding the creation of coastal sanctuaries,” he said.

Williamson argues that fish farms can be converted to house the orcas in a more natural environment, and for relatively cheap given the money they provide for other efforts. But Seaworld argues that the orcas’ health would be put at risk because they are exposed to diseases.

However, the company also notes that while at its facilities the orcas could have access to the best medical care.

They will continue to receive the highest-quality care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science, and zoological best practices.

That isn’t enough for groups like PETA, and Williamson said that the pressure is still one. He encourages people to check websites such as SeaWorld of Hurt.

“As long as they are in those enclosures, we will fight for them,” he said.