Five things about Nova Scotia’s decision to approve Whale Sanctuary Project

The Nova Scotia government has approved plans for construction of North America’s first coastal refuge for whales and dolphins retired from marine theme parks.

The Nova Scotia government has approved plans for construction of North America’s first coastal refuge for whales and dolphins retired from marine theme parks. Here are five things you need to know about the project.

MONEY — Charles Vinick, CEO of the U.S.-based Whale Sanctuary Project, said it will cost about $15 million to build a 40-hectare underwater enclosure near Wine Harbour, N.S., which will hold up to 10 whales. Another $1.5 million will be required for annual operations.

Publicly available financial documents show that as of 2023, the non-profit group had US$1.8 million in revenues, US$1.9 million in expenses and US$1.7 million in cash.

Now that the project can move ahead, Vinick said private fundraising will go into high gear. The group is not seeking government money.

“Having approval of the Crown lease is a critical step, not only for us, but for all of our donors,” he said in an interview Wednesday from his home in Arizona. “Until we had a project that was real, it’s very difficult for donors to make a commitment. (And) we have a number of seven-figure donors.”

NEXT STEPS — Money has already been set aside to buy 12 hectares of land around a wharf, where some buildings and other infrastructure will be assembled. A floating net will be installed to create an enclosure about the size of 40 football fields, next to a cove at the southern end of Port Hilford Bay.

But before the project can bring any whales or dolphins to the site, organizers will be required to get a permit from Transport Canada under the Navigable Waters Act, and transfer licences from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Those licenses will be required for each whale or dolphin.

Vinick said Transport Canada has told him the department has all the information it needs. “I met with Transport Canada last week … and they have no issues with our project,” he said.