A beautiful place for beautiful creatures. It would be an honour and a privilege to give a new home to whales that have spent the bulk of their lives in captivity. My only concern is that any place chosen be entirely for the benefit of the whales and not for the benefit of the community. Considering the the size of area needed that should have natural boundries. Hope you can make it! Tell you what. Fingers crossed. Definitely Sheet Harbour / Sherbrooke – or anywhere in the Bay of Islands area (between the two villages). Different whale species need different ranges / environmental considerations. This is a location in which Belugas could be comfortable & safe. A privately funded sanctuary for captive beluga whales appears to be on its way to Nova Scotia. I cannot see where a single “bay” would cover most of them. Bill S-203 provides an exception for “a person who … has the custody of or controls a cetacean that is kept in captivity for the purpose of providing it with assistance or care or to rehabilitate it following an injury or another state of distress.” And the sanctuary would be available to belugas in need of rescue and rehabilitation. — A privately funded sanctuary for captive beluga whales appears to be on its way to Nova Scotia. Your email address will not be published. How about Weymouth and the Sissiboo River, South of Digby? The sanctuary will be financed through philanthropic donations for its capital construction and operations. Sanctuaries already exist for land-based animals like elephants and chimpanzees who come from zoos and circuses. They will be leading a natural life, rather than performing tricks in a tank, and will no more be on display than are any free-ranging whales or dolphins you would see from land. Would the whales like the protected waters of the Bras d’Or Lakes? -- Residents of the community of Sheet Harbour met Monday night to discuss a possible whale sanctuary off its coast. Media contact: Mary Ellen MacIntyre: 902-989-3522. I found people automatically go to negative. This would be awesome here in Liverpool Bay. Will work with local community to create a permanent seaside home for whales retired from marine parks. The next steps in working toward the creation of a sanctuary will be to work with local fishers and community members to further define the vision for the whale sanctuary, and to initiate the regulatory processes needed to establish the site. The Whale Sanctuary project hopes to have its sanctuary off the coast of Nova Scotia – the first in North America – ready to receive whales from captivity by the end of 2021. Bravo! The Whale Sanctuary Project has chosen an inlet on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore as the preferred spot to protect and care for retired orca and beluga whales that were raised in captivity. A whale sanctuary is an innovative and wonderful pursuit, that would actually be a rare, progressive move for N.S. Possibly in some instances, but unlikely overall; there will be plenty of space in the netting for species other than a beluga whale to come and go. Now, they will be treated (if they can) and left to die in wild, rather than housed and taken care of at places like the Vancouver Aquarium. If you mean they will have died, bear in mind that the average lifespan for a beluga in a tank at an entertainment park is considered to be between 18 and 30 years. I cannot see where a single “bay” would cover most of them. Thank you all. The Whale Sanctuary Project has selected part of Nova Scotia's coast as a spot for a seaside sanctuary, over other regions in Canada and the US. The Whale Sanctuary Project, a U.S. based conservation group, is in talks with residents and government officials on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore in the hopes of setting up a place for once captive beluga whales to live. “They’ve been holding special activities for the kids,” she said. Dozens of considerations went into selecting the best location for a seaside sanctuary: from water analysis to sea-floor conditions, to tides and currents, to potential impacts of local wildlife on the whales and vice-versa. The waters are so clean there and you can get the local fisherman to get the fish for the whales. Thank you for the comments and questions. An interesting project. At that point (Annapolis Royal Tidal Power Station) the River & Basin are separated by a causeway & reversible dam. 1/2 as brackish as the ocean. This is fantastic news!!!! People will be able to see them from the shore and at a distance. A fantastic idea and I would vote for Liverpool Bay. Non-Profit Group Seeks Community Partner for Whale Sanctuary in Nova Scotia HALIFAX, NS, January 29th, 2019 The Whale Sanctuary Project is holding a series of public information meetings over the next 10 days to identify communities in Nova Scotia that may be interested in becoming home to a seaside sanctuary for beluga whales being retired from entertainment parks. no matter what the issue. “As important as the physical properties of the location are in deciding on a site location, we also knew that the relationship the sanctuary would have with its host community would be pivotal,” Vinick explained. Why not keep them where they are – i.e. For once can’t people just open there mind to a possible solution to many of the problems we face in SW NS before we turn to the negative? Beyond these benefits, a community can take pride in the good they are doing for these whales.”. But maybe there is something I am missing. i think this would be great for liverpool and i hope that they vote yes to bringing this there and helping these mammals. The belugas at Marineland (there are none at the Vancouver Aquarium) are not rescues; they were all either captured and imported, or born into their concrete tanks. It would be such a great location! “Most of them have never learned survival skills, so they cannot be released into the open ocean,” Vinick explained. The Whale Sanctuary Project has announced that it will work together with Sherbrooke and the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia to create a seaside sanctuary in Port Hilford for whales retired from “entertainment” parks. “They suffer greatly spending their lives in concrete tanks, and the only way to end their suffering is to relocate them to a permanent seaside sanctuary, where they can receive expert care in a natural environment.”. Liverpool Bay and surrounding area would be the perfect location for this sanctuary. This morning, January 29th, the Whale Sanctuary Project held a news conference in Nova Scotia and issued the following media release: UPDATE: Whale Sanctuary Project Community Information Meeting Details: HALIFAX, NS, January 29th, 2019The Whale Sanctuary Project is holding a series of public information meetings over the next 10 days to identify communities in Nova Scotia that may be interested in becoming home to a seaside sanctuary for beluga whales being retired from entertainment parks. This infinite supply of high-quality water to within 30m of the facility permits a flow-through water supply to the aquarium that requires no filtration, thermal or chemical regulation, re-circulation or waste treatment.”, u guys seem to leave all the negative comments out ur just putting the good ones on here, Why does your mind automatically go to the negative? Amen. Back in 2016, the Halifax Examiner broke the news that the Whale Sanctuary Project was planning to build a $15-million sanctuary for captive whales and was scouting locations for it in Nova Scotia. Many thanks to all of you who have supported the Whale Sanctuary Project throughout this extensive search, and especially to our lead sponsor, Munchkin, Inc., makers of unique products for babies and children, without whom we could not have begun this project. In the wild, beluga lifespans are thought to be much longer. And beluga babies are still being born at Marineland. Wilma the beluga whale loved Chedabucto Bay. While a proposed whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia is narrowing its focus in terms of sites, it's shifting focus in terms of the whales that could be housed. “There would be economic benefits including the creation of an education centre, an on-going need to purchase tons of frozen fish to feed the whales, as well as full and part-time jobs to be filled by local residents. Members of the organization visited locations along the south and the eastern shores, and met with communities in Shelburne, Liverpool, Port Hawkesbury and Sheet Harbour as well as Sherbrooke to seek proposals for potential sites. Mary. On Tuesday, Executive Director of The Whale Sanctuary Project Charles Vinick announced that Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia has been selected as the home for a pod of beluga whales. We are not necessarily going to have different species in the same facility. Please bring them here. Awesome and for captive belugas they will love being in the ocean, I believe Shelburne would be a GREAT place for the whales, Absolutely great idea, ant sanctuary is better than where they are now . Mary. Luca did! Meanwhile, we support the aquarium’s research and have stated publicly that it has a strong scientific base to stand on and continue its important work. But we will be discussing further with our field team and advisors. Relocating them to an ocean environment will give them a healthier life where they can thrive.”, Marino added that the whales captured the imagination of the people of Sherbrooke from the very first meeting. It offers an expansive area that can be netted off for the whales in a bay that’s open to … Our extraordinary experience with Luca, a young beluga whale, who chose our community as a safe haven when he became lost and separated from his pod, proved what a perfect spot this is for critters of his kind. Now, they will be treated (if they can) and left to die in wild, rather than housed and taken care of at places like the Vancouver Aquarium. MUSHABOOM, N.S. A U.S. animal protection group is touring the eastern province of Nova Scotia looking for a community that would agree to host a netted, offshore sanctuary for beluga whales. Just for starters, there are approximately 58 beluga whales in small concrete tanks at Marineland at any given time, with some dying and others being born during any given week. I would volunteer for you in Liverpool! “We see this as an opportunity for the host community as well as for the whales who will live in the sanctuary for the rest of their lives,” said Charles Vinick, Executive Director of the non-profit organization. “We realize that people have questions and concerns about such a novel project,” Vinick said. We’re delighted to announce that after researching hundreds of locations in Washington state, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, the Whale Sanctuary Project has selected Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, as the best site to create a seaside sanctuary for whales being retired from entertainment parks. The Whale Sanctuary Project’s objective is to have the sanctuary ready to receive whales in 2022. It would bring so much back to Shearbrook and Liscomb, there is so much beautiful land around there. marineland or the Vancouver Aquarium or where ever). By the time it is funded, environmental assessments are done, the complex built …. Minister Lloyd Hines, Member of Legislative Assembly for Nova Scotia, added that the Sherbrooke community is looking forward to playing host to North America’s first seaside whale sanctuary. “Whales and dolphins are highly intelligent, emotionally sensitive and socially complex animals,” said Dr. Lori Marino, president of the Whale Sanctuary Project. A 2006 study concluded that they can live up to 70 years or more. A positive for Sherbrooke would be how this might benefit both the whales and the community considering it already has a tourist infrastructure and the possibility of seeing whales(from shore) would be a big bonus….Sounds like a huge undertaking but such a positive one. It has access to necessary infrastructure and plenty of room along the shore for the facilities that will be needed to care for the animals, as well as for an onsite education and interpretive center. make a list of the positive and the negative-do research-then we can discuss possible solutions to the negative and how we can overcome them together. A beluga whale is seen in this undated handout photo. You have my support 100% – a bold undertaking but a great one. Aros na Mara a proposed marine science center at Port of Iona could be a good fit. A U.S.-based conservation group, The Whale Sanctuary Project, has selected an eastern shore Nova Scotia community for … To learn more about the project and meet Lori and Charles, the public is invited to attend the community information meetings. interesting idea, and it has been whale tested!! Mostly ice free and not exposed to the frequent heavy seas that will destroy containment infrastructure. The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, Canada Bans Captivity of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. The Whale Sanctuary Project has narrowed its search to four locations: two in Nova Scotia and two in the Northwest. We have the perfect spot for all of them !!! I am extremely interested in going but I know there are several weather warnings for the same time. “But a seaside sanctuary will give them a chance to thrive in a stimulating natural ecosystem.”. The group's mission is 'to establish a model seaside sanctuary … The meetings will be held in Dartmouth, Liverpool, Port Hawkesbury, Sherbrooke and Sheet Harbour. This is an absolutely amazing idea! The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary was created with support from Merlin Entertainments and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) with the aim of providing formerly captive beluga whales with a safe and more natural home. The plan to locate a sanctuary in Nova Scotia comes in the wake of Parliament passing Bill S-203 last year to bring an end to the captivity of whales and dolphins in Canada. Here’s hoping you choose Liverpool Bay for this wonderful project. Contenders include Maine, Washington State and British Columbia. Wilma the whale made it her home for many years. 4) Different whale species need different ranges / environmental considerations. Liverpool Bay is the place for those whales! And the netting to seal the bay would probably kill other species. Environmentally, Bras D’or Lakes are challenging as a sanctuary site because of the brackish content of the water and the lack of flow in most areas. You can contact them by email at charlesv@whalesanctuary.org. The mission of the Whale Sanctuary Project is to establish a model seaside sanctuary where whales and dolphins can be rehabilitated or can live permanently in an environment that maximizes well-being and autonomy and is as close as possible to their natural habitat. © 2021 The Whale Sanctuary Project. Yes, it’s still on for this evening at 6.30. Hello, is the meeting in Sheet Harbour still happening this evening? But I fear the selfish lobster fishermen will do everything to resist progress. The aims of our sanctuary are: To provide a more natural life for the belugas in our care Right now, Parliament is poised to enact a ban on keeping any more whales and dolphins at entertainment facilities, and a seaside sanctuary will provide the space and autonomy the whales need in order to thrive. On February 26 The Whale Sanctuary Project announced that it will create North Americas first seaside sanctuary for whales being retired from entertainment parks in Port Hilford. More likely a netted-off cove or bay. “In the confines of a concrete tank at a marine park they suffer chronic stress and then often fatal illness. This item is written by Tim Bousquet. “The Sherbrooke community has exceeded all our expectations.”. The first thing we consider for any potential location is whether the environment would be suitable for belugas and/or orcas. Sheet Harbour in HRM! I pray this project will be blessed by God and his many angels and move forward with his power, will, and love. Public opinion continues to shift away from keeping highly intelligent and far-ranging marine mammals in tanks. Port Hilford offers an expansive area that can be netted off for the whales in a bay that’s open to the ocean but is sheltered from storms. “Of the hundreds of locations that we’ve researched in British Columbia, Washington state and […] We look forward to hearing the good news that a safe home has been chosen, and thank you all for your compassion. However, according to a company press release, officials in Nova Scotia are excited about the possibility of the sanctuary. The affection and care shown him from everyone in this community and those who traveled here just to get a glimpse of him, during the months he was with us, was amazing in so many ways. It would be quite suitable and a nice representation of Wilma! It’s poor policy all around. And local fishers will want to be assured that their livelihoods are preserved. So this rehab centre would presumably have a lifespan of about 20 years, tops, as of today. “Some will be interested in potential environmental impacts. He seemed to especially like hanging out near Mersey Seafood Fish Plant! most of the captive animals now will be gone. The Chedabucto Bay Area, would be an ideal sanctuary. SHEET HARBOUR, N.S. A few responses, and first, just to be clear, the sanctuary we’re talking about would be for 5 to 8 beluga whales retired from entertainment facilities. Funding for the two-year search for an ideal site for the sanctuary has been led by Munchkin, Inc., makers of unique products for babies and children. For more information visit: https://whalesanctuary.org/our-work/. The Whale Sanctuary Project will visit other regions over the coming months, searching for the perfect cove. Today, in light of The Whale Sanctuary Project's announcement that it plans to build a 40-hectare seaside sanctuary for rescued orcas and beluga whales in Today, in light of The Whale Sanctuary Project's announcement that it plans to build a 40-hectare seaside sanctuary for rescued orcas and beluga whales in Nova Scotia, Canada, PETA has sent a letter calling on SeaWorld CEO Sergio D. … Given the lifespan of belugas, there will be a need for sanctuary for considerably more than 20 years. By the time … the sanctuary is built, most of the belugas will be gone. Whales in pay-2-see, commercial aquariums were never meant to be. Little Luca chose us, so we must have a lot going for us in whale terms! On the river side there is a very, very large salt water estuary that is open to several kilometres of river which salt water content gradually decreases upriver and which depth is controlled by the Tidal Power Station. Dr. Bruce Hatcher, Director of the Bras d’Or Institute at Cape Breton University says “The location of the Aros na Mara is logistically ideal because of proximity to an energetic tidal channel (the Barra Strait) that delivers cold, well mixed and oxygenated and plankton-rich water to the surface layer where the water intake for the aquarium is located. So, you might reasonably assume that a young beluga at a seaside sanctuary would have a lifespan somewhere between those two figures. The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, Canada Bans Captivity of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. Try explaining to tourists why we don’t want a ‘marine protected area’ on the Eastern Shore. 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