The Whale Sanctuary Project, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, has been working on a project to build North America’s first coastal refuge for captive whales in Nova Scotia. The group has renewed its bid to provide a seaside sanctuary for two killer whales living in a shuttered marine park in France. However, the project has yet to receive federal or provincial government approvals, and its $20-million plan remains on the drawing board due to a lack of consent from adjacent landowners in eastern Nova Scotia. A similar pitch last year was rejected by the French government in January, citing concerns about ocean temperatures and readiness of the proposed refuge near Wine Harbour, N.S.
The plan to move the killer whales from Marineland Antibes in France to Loro Parque zoo on Spain’s Canary Islands was blocked by Spanish authorities after a scientific agency ruled that the zoo did not meet minimum standards for the marine mammals. As a result, French officials stated that Marineland Antibes must continue caring for the killer whales. The French environment minister expressed interest in collaborating with Spanish, Italian, and Greek counterparts to create a European marine sanctuary, but officials said it would take more than a year to establish such a reserve.
Marineland Antibes closed its entertainment park in response to a French law banning the possession and display of captive whales and dolphins. The law requires the removal of the country’s last two performing orcas and 12 dolphins by the end of the year. The Whale Sanctuary Project has emphasized the urgency of providing immediate care to Wikie and Keijo, the killer whales, and retiring them to a sanctuary. The group reiterates its readiness to work with all parties involved to bring the whales to the sanctuary being prepared in Nova Scotia.
Documents revealed that the Whale Sanctuary Project has yet to secure approval from all five owners of the property adjacent to where the group plans to build a floating net enclosure for belugas and orcas retired from marine theme parks. The provincial government confirmed that the group would not be granted a Crown lease for 81 hectares of land and water unless unanimous consent is obtained from the landowners. The project’s executive director, Charles Vinick, did not directly respond to inquiries about any changes in landowner consent, stating that discussions were ongoing with the Nova Scotia and French governments and European non-government organizations.
The Nova Scotia government confirmed that there has been no change in the status of the project, emphasizing that their role is solely related to the proponent’s application for a Crown land lease. Final approval from the province would be up to Premier Tim Houston’s cabinet. The Whale Sanctuary Project remains committed to working with the French government and other organizations to secure a sanctuary for the killer whales from Marineland Antibes. The group continues to advocate for the ethical treatment and retirement of captive marine mammals to sanctuaries where they can receive proper care and live in a more natural environment.
