The chief executive of SeaWorld is stepping down amidst the parks' continuously declining ticket sales. 

Jim Atchison, who served as CEO of SeaWorld since 2009, will resign from his position but will remain at Sea World as a vice chairman and will be nomiated to its independent nonprofit conservation fund's board of directors, reported The Associated Press. 

In turn, Atchison named his chairman David D'Alessandro as the interim CEO of SeaWorld beginning Jan. 15. He will serve as CEO until a permanent replacement is found. 

The theme park was struggling well before Atchison's resignation. Since the recession, SeaWorld's attendance has been weak and dropped three of the last four quarters, reported AP.

SeaWorld is also battling the bad reputation that fell on the company since the release of the documentary "Blackfish" last year in which it appeared as if its treatment of animals led to the deaths of trainers.

To make up for the loss of revenue associated with low attendance, SeaWorld announced Thursday that it would cut an unspecified number of jobs, among other cost cuts, which is expected to save the company $50 million annually, reported AP. 

Along with D'Alessandro, two more directors were appointed to SeaWorld's board: Ellen Tauscher, a former congresswoman from California, and William Grey, a former advertising executive.