Nova Scotia government approves 80-hectare lease for whale sanctuary

The Nova Scotia government has approved a lease granting 83.32 hectares of land and water to The Whale Sanctuary Project — a non-profit organization that wants to create the first whale sanctuary in North America.

The lease term will last for 20 years. After that, the organization will have the option to renew for a further 20-year term.

In a statement released Tuesday, the American-based non-profit expressed thanks, saying they’re “grateful to the Nova Scotia government and the Minister of Natural Resources.”

“This is a great day for the Whale Sanctuary and for the whales,” the statement reads.

“We look forward to pressing ahead in every way to establish the Whale Sanctuary.”

According to the Whale Sanctuary Project website, the use of natural land and water will give the whales a chance to experience an “authentic” environment — one deep enough for them to swim, dive, and explore the seafloor as they would in the wild.

The area will be surrounded by a perimeter net with a walkway, allowing staff direct access to the whales when they require medical or routine care.

In the coming days, the organization says it will have an update on which whales are being considered for relocation to the sanctuary, progress on the construction of the sanctuary site, and health evaluations of the whales currently in their care at other locations.

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