Whale Sanctuary Project: A new home for captive cetaceans

For decades, whales and dolphins have endured lives in captivity in aquariums, confined to small, barren concrete tanks, forced to perform for tourists and deprived of their natural behaviours. These intelligent, social creatures suffer physically and mentally in these environments far removed from their natural habitats. 

The Whale Sanctuary Project is working to give new life to captive whales and dolphins (belugas and orcas) by creating a seaside sanctuary on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, setting a global standard for their care and rehabilitation. 

On October 21, 2025, the Nova Scotia government issued an Order in Council, which approves the issuing of a 20-year lease (with an option to renew) for the Crown lands that comprise the sanctuary site in Port Hilford Bay. 

This milestone confirms government support for the sanctuary’s development – clearing the way for construction to begin and for fundraising to move forward to welcome the first whales. 

Why it matters

Cetaceans are highly intelligent, social and migratory creatures. They aren’t made to live in the confines of tiny tanks.  

When the practice of capturing whales for captivity took off in the 1960s, there was little awareness of their intelligence, social bonds, cultures and emotional depth. But decades of scientific research have revealed the truth: these animals are incredibly complex and suffer immensely in concrete tanks. Now that we know better, we must do better.  

While many countries have now passed laws ending the keeping of whales and dolphins for entertainment, sanctuaries like this one are urgently needed to provide humane alternatives for the animals who remain in captivity. 

The Whale Sanctuary Project offers a place where these magnificent creatures can heal and live the rest of their lives in peace. 

Building the sanctuary  

Nestled in the pristine waters of Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, this sanctuary provides approximately 100 acres of ocean space for the whales, offering cetaceans a habitat that more closely resembles their natural environment. With depths reaching up to 18 meters, varied substrates and clean waters, this sanctuary can provide whales and dolphins the space they need to thrive. 

Rendering of the Whale Sanctuary Project Site provided by the Whale Sanctuary Project. 

The bay’s remote location also offers another vital feature: low underwater noise levels, which are crucial for whales and dolphins who rely on echolocation to navigate their surroundings. With limited ice formation in the winter and a stable climate, it’s a haven for these creatures, far from the constant disturbances of human activity.

With environmental studies completed and regulatory requirements being finalized, the project is now entering the construction phase, beginning with wharf reconstruction, shoreline infrastructure development, and the installation of bay pen systems where whales will receive care and rehabilitation before being released into the wider sanctuary waters. 

The estimated capital cost to establish the sanctuary is $12–15 million USD, with annual operating costs to care for the whales of about $1.5–2 million USD. 

The Whale Sanctuary Project’s site in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia. (Photo: Sasha Rink / World Animal Protection)

A community effort: local support and collaboration 

The development of the Whale Sanctuary Project is grounded in community collaboration, with contributions from local groups who bring invaluable regional knowledge. The project collaborates with the Mi'kmaq Nation, the First Nations people whose wisdom and values - drawn from a centuries-long connection to the ocean – align with the sanctuary’s guiding philosophy.

The sanctuary is designed to honour the natural world by prioritizing the welfare of its cetacean residents, while also respecting local and indigenous culture.  

Our role in making this possible 

World Animal Protection Canada is proud to support this effort. We have provided initial funding to help establish the seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia, and we are jointly advocating for government policies that phase out captive wildlife entertainment and support humane long-term solutions for the animals. 

Together, we are leveraging our expertise to help the Whale Sanctuary Project engage with governments and organizations around the world, sharing knowledge on how to establish sanctuaries and create compassionate alternatives for whales and dolphins still in captivity. 

How you can help 

This is just the beginning. The Whale Sanctuary Project is paving the way for a new model of whale and dolphin care that could change the future for captive cetaceans worldwide. But we need your help to make this vision a reality. 

Here’s how you can support this incredible initiative: 

• Learn more about the Whale Sanctuary Project and its progress by visiting their website. 
• Join us in advocating for this life-changing project. Share this mission with your friends and family. 

Together, we can ensure that every captive whale and dolphin has the opportunity to live a better life.