“159 Dolphins Have Died”: Kelly Slater Disappointed in Surfing Community Over Raging Issue

Renowned as the master of surf tides, Kelly Slater stands as a stalwart advocate for the ocean and the life it holds. Slater’s advocacy for the environment is deeply rooted in his profound connection to the ocean, not only as a playground for surfing but also as a vital ecosystem deserving of protection.

As a member of esteemed organizations such as the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board of the Sea Shepherd Society, Reef Check, Ocean Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund, along with his initiative, The Kelly Slater Foundation, Slater utilizes his influential platform to amplify environmental issues. In his latest endeavor to champion oceanic conservation, Slater expressed profound disappointment in the surfing community over a concerning issue.

Kelly Slater sheds light on a heartbreaking issue in Oahu, Hawaii

Kelly Slater recently brought attention to a distressing situation at Sea Life Park in Hawaii through his Instagram Stories. He shared a post from Hawaii News Report highlighting a video of BJ, a 39-year-old female dolphin, living in solitary confinement in a small concrete tank. BJ has been alone since her tankmate Boris passed away in 2020, and the video shows her circling a small area, highlighting the inadequate space for her.

The post also mentioned that over 159 dolphins have died at Sea Life Park since it opened in 1964, raising questions about the park’s treatment of marine animals. In his stories, Slater expressed his dismay, writing, “Did you know that over 159 dolphins have died at @sealifepark on Oahu?”

Slater questioned why the state continues to license such practices, why people still support the park with ticket purchases, and how the trainers feel about working in such conditions. Kelly encouraged his followers to reach out to the park’s owners to address these concerns. As we reflect on this urgent call to action, this isn’t the first time Slater has spoken out against marine animal parks.

His previous call to action against marine animal parks

Earlier this month, Kelly Slater once again demonstrated his commitment to animal welfare and conservation by raising concerns about SeaWorld Orlando’s impact on marine life and ecosystems. Drawing from his childhood memories of visiting the park, Slater used his Instagram platform to raise awareness in response to a video showing Katina, a 49-year-old captive orca, being moved into a medical tank due to illness. Despite his fond childhood memories of SeaWorld, Slater now recognizes the harmful consequences of supporting such establishments.

SeaWorld has long been a controversial subject, particularly following the release of the documentary “Blackfish” in 2013, which shed light on the issues surrounding captive orcas. Slater himself voiced his desire to see SeaWorld and similar facilities transition into strictly rescue and rehabilitation operations for local wildlife rather than entertainment venues. As fans commend Kelly Slater for his ongoing advocacy efforts, they hope that his influential voice will continue to shed light on issues such as the distressing situation at Sea Life Park in Hawaii.