The government of Nova Scotia has green-lighted the issuance of a lease for over 80 hectares of land and water on the Eastern Shore of the province to a group aiming to establish the first whale sanctuary in North America. The American non-profit Whale Sanctuary Project expressed gratitude towards the Nova Scotia government and the Minister of Natural Resources for the long-awaited approval. This milestone paves the way for construction to commence and for the remaining capital to be raised to finalize the sanctuary project.
Previously, obtaining such a lease appeared unattainable due to some property owners in the Port Hilford area withholding consent, which was deemed necessary by the province. However, this requirement now seems to have been eliminated. Premier Tim Houston acknowledged the challenges of achieving full consensus on any issue but emphasized the substantial community backing for the sanctuary project, leading to the decision to move forward.
The approval to grant the Crown land lease, as per an order-in-council, was made based on a recommendation from the former natural resources minister Tory Rushton, who was reassigned on Tuesday. While some details, such as the price and exact property boundaries, need finalization before the lease can be granted, supporters, including Animal Justice and the St. Mary’s River Association, have lauded the approval as a significant step towards providing captive whales with a path to freedom.
The Whale Sanctuary Project, which proposed the sanctuary in Guysborough County five years ago, aims to accommodate eight to ten marine mammals transitioning from parks and aquariums, although no animals have been committed yet. CEO Charles Vinick highlighted the need for further work despite the lease approval, mentioning the acquisition of adjacent private land, refurbishment of facilities, and fundraising efforts required to secure an additional $15 million US for project completion.
Regarding the relocation of belugas from Marineland, the project is in discussion with the park, which considers the contamination from historical gold mining unsuitable for its whales. Despite this, the Whale Sanctuary Project remains optimistic about potentially housing some of Marineland’s belugas in Nova Scotia, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed from various entities to make this possibility a reality. The project must also obtain approvals from federal Fisheries and Transport departments, address concerns from locals, and ensure minimal disruption to the community and the environment.
