An Arizona-based organization that plans to create a seaside refuge for whales retired from marine parks has signed a 20-year lease for Crown land and coastal waters on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, marking a major milestone for a project that has also faced criticism from some residents and animal-rights advocates.
The Whale Sanctuary Project announced it has secured a lease for Port Hilford Bay in Indian Harbour, where it hopes to establish what it says will be North America’s first seaside whale sanctuary and the world’s first dedicated to captive orcas and beluga whales.
The announcement follows a groundbreaking ceremony held in June and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.
“This is a real momentous day for us,” Whale Sanctuary Project CEO Charles Vinick said. “We’ve been working with the Department of Natural Resources that provides what is called the Crown lands lease for the water space for the sanctuary.”
According to Vinick, the lease includes an option for a further 20-year renewal.
“We can renew the lease for an additional 20 years. So it really is 40 years,” he said. “We’re looking at that because we want to be sure we have the time to care for some of these animals on into old age.”
The project says retired whales will be able to live in a natural ocean environment while continuing to receive human care and veterinary support. It says the sanctuary will provide a habitat more than 100 times larger than the tanks typically used to house captive whales.
The provincial lease covers 83 hectares of Crown land and coastal waters near Wine Harbour, a small community about three hours east of Halifax.
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Vinick said the sanctuary is intended to offer a long-term home for whales retired from captivity as the marine-park industry evolves.
“Over time, as the industry changes, more parks close, we’ll be looking for ways to retire these animals to a life of dignity in a sanctuary,” he said.
The proposal has faced opposition from some local residents, who have raised concerns about changes to land-use rules and the project’s impact on the area.
“There were government rules in place protecting Nova Scotia landowners and land rights, and they chose to make an exception for this,” resident Tracy Burns-Gagnon told Global News in June. “That’s when we thought, OK, we really need to speak out.”
Vinick said the organization remains committed to working with neighbours, including those who oppose the project.
“We continue to want to work with all of the neighbours, even those who continue to be opposed,” he said, adding that the group has agreed not to allow access roads to become a tourist attraction.
The project has also drawn criticism from prominent marine conservation activist Paul Watson, who has questioned its timeline and argued the water temperatures at the site may be unsuitable for some animals.
Vinick rejected those concerns, saying studies have shown the location is appropriate.
“This continues to be a site that we have demonstrated is appropriate in terms of its environmental quality, as well as other features that will enable the whales to thrive in the sanctuary,” he said.
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