SeaWorld cuts 350 jobs in Orlando, San Diego

ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld is cutting 350 positions as the company's parks deal with declining attendance.

Spokeswoman Aimee Jeansonne Becka said Wednesday that the cuts will include a mix of layoffs and not refilling open positions across the company. The cuts will primarily affect its Orlando corporate headquarters, as well as the parks in Orlando and San Diego.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SeaWorld was implementing the restructuring program to “reduce costs, increase efficiencies, reduce duplication of functions and improve the company’s operations."

In a statement, SeaWorld said that it would be assisting employees affected by the layoffs.

“We do not take this task lightly. It is an unfortunate, but necessary, consequence of the restructuring that some positions will be lost,” the statement said. “For those employees, we are offering severance benefits and outplacement assistance to help with their transition.”

Park attendance has suffered since the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" suggested that SeaWorld's treatment of animals may have led to the deaths of trainers. It announced last year that it would no longer breed killer whales and stop using them in shows.

Read SeaWorld’s full statement on the elimination of 350 positions:

“Today SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. implemented the latest phase of our previously announced company-wide cost initiative. Approximately 350 positions across the company will be impacted by these changes, including open positions that will not be filled.

This ongoing work to improve efficiency is focused on administrative functions and non-guest facing positions, and we are redeploying resources from the related cost savings into our growth initiatives. This includes intensifying our efforts related to marketing SeaWorld to drive growth in park attendance, while maintaining our commitment to the guest experience.

We do not take this task lightly. It is an unfortunate, but necessary, consequence of the restructuring that some positions will be lost. For those employees, we are offering severance benefits and outplacement assistance to help with their transition.

We remain committed to creating world-class guest experiences, providing comprehensively for the care of all our animals, and continuing our company's focus on stranded marine animal rescue and ocean conservation initiatives.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group