John Keenan – Journalist

THE owners and managers of the Sea Life Centre could be forgiven for succumbing to a sinking feeling as a wave of negative headlines batter aquatic theme parks.

There have been calls for the attraction opposite the Palace Pier to be turned into an art gallery. Earlier this year leaked documents showed that some members of the Green administration were planning to take control of the granting of a zoo licence for the Victorian building.

Public sentiment in general seems to be moving against the parks in the wake of an award winning documentary called Blackfish.

The powerful film explored the gruesome death of trainer Dawn Brancheu, who was dragged and killed by a 12,000 pound killer whale during a show at SeaWorld, Orlando, in 2010 in front of a terrified audience.

But the attraction in Brighton is owned and operated by Merlin Entertainments and its bosses insist that its husbandry and welfare are the best in the industry.

A spokesman for the Sea Life Centre told me: “Those opposed to captivity of any kind are a tiny, if vociferous, minority. The more rational majority recognise the educational value of well themed, well maintained facilities like Sea Life and the invaluable role they play in fostering support for serious conservation work.”

A new charity, The Sea Life Trust, has been set up to administer grants to whale and dolphin conservation.

Sea Life bosses say they acknowledge their duty to help bring about positive change to the wild marine environment, and they claim to be leading the way with welfare work.

I have spent many happy hours with my family in the Sea Life Centre over the years and I know how passionately staff there feel about their work.

The Sea Life Centre is showing its competitors how it should be done.