The Nova Scotia government has given the green light to grant a lease for over 80 hectares of land and water on the Eastern Shore of the province to a group aiming to establish North America’s inaugural whale sanctuary.
The Whale Sanctuary Project, a U.S. non-profit organization, expressed gratitude for the approval that had been pending for more than three years. This milestone now enables them to move forward with construction and secure the remaining capital needed for the project.
Previously, obtaining such a lease seemed unattainable due to objections from some property owners in the Port Hilford area of Nova Scotia. However, the province has now managed to overcome this hurdle.
Premier Tim Houston acknowledged the challenges of achieving unanimous consent on any issue and emphasized the significant community support for the sanctuary project. The government’s decision to grant the Crown land lease was based on a recommendation from the former natural resources minister, Tory Rushton.
While the approval has been celebrated by supporters, including Animal Justice and the St. Mary’s River Association, some details still need to be finalized before the lease can be officially granted, such as determining the price and boundaries of the property.
The Whale Sanctuary Project, which has been working on the sanctuary plan for five years, aims to provide a home for eight to ten marine mammals retired from parks and aquariums. Charles Vinick, the CEO of the project, highlighted the importance of the lease approval while emphasizing the need for further fundraising to complete the sanctuary, estimating an additional $15 million USD required for the project.
Regarding the potential relocation of belugas from Marineland in Ontario, the Whale Sanctuary Project remains hopeful that some of these whales could find a new home in Nova Scotia. However, apart from raising funds and securing whales, the project must also obtain approvals from federal departments and address concerns from locals about potential limitations on water access and increased tourist activity.
Vinick assured that the project team has taken community feedback into account and made adjustments to their plans to address concerns, emphasizing that the sanctuary is not intended to be a tourist attraction. Plans include designated access points for paddling enthusiasts and a focus on creating a compassionate and sustainable relationship with nature.