What do you think the title Blackfish means? What does it actually mean? Why is this an interesting choice as a film title? What are the required qualities to become a marine trainer?
How do the trainers continue to work at the park when they see the conditions the animals are kept in?
How do they compartmentalize their feelings?
Why are the trainers and the general public misinformed about whales? Should trainers be responsible in learning the career prior to marine park training?
Why is Tilikum still kept in marine parks when he’s proven to be an aggressive whale, causing liabilities to the park and a threat to trainers?
Is it a good idea to breed from an aggressive male? Will his genes be carried through to his offspring? What are the alternatives?
Why do experienced trainers seem to be the ones who have the most accidents and deaths in marine parks?
What should the solution be for the improvement of the health of the animals? What regulations should be enforced? What should the priority be for the trainer or for the animals or both? Explain.
Why hasn’t there been any changes made in trainer procedures in the last 20 years since the first trainer death occurred? What should be done?
Can marine parks create an environment where what happened at SeaWorld never happens again anywhere else?
Do we need marine park aquariums? Why do people visit them? Are they important or cruel? What are the alternatives?
Have you ever been to a marine park? Are you surprised at what you learned about them in the film? Would you visit a marine park aquarium after watching the film? Why or why not?