Intelligent, social ocean animals are kept in the pitifully small tanks at SeaWorld and denied everything that is natural and important to them. Institutions such as Sea World profit from the violent capture, exploitation and psychological torture of intelligent, emotional and social beings.

Marine parks teach all the wrong lessons: That it is acceptable to imprison sentient beings; to deprive them of freedom of movement and thought; to forbid them the chance to establish their natural territory and explore; to breed and separate them as we please; and to watch them suffer psychological distress for entertainment.

Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to prevent harm to others, and are looked-to by society to set standards. With increasing recognition that animals are intelligent, emotional and social beings psychologists should lead society to compassionately considering their welfare:  A conference about “Guiding the Change" of mental health should not be held at an institution that internationally has been sued by animal welfare organisations such as PETA for violating the rights of animals and causing significant psychological distress to them.

Please help and be the change you want to see in the world by petitioning the committee of the 17th Annual International Mental Health Conference to choose a more appropriate conference venue.

http://animalstudiesrepository.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=acwp_wmm