A new life that makes up for what went before
Above: Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia
Our vision is of a world in which all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are treated with respect and are no longer confined to concrete tanks in entertainment parks and aquariums.
Already, we are witnessing a fundamental change in public opinion regarding how people relate to whales and dolphins. In 2019, for example, Canada passed a law that will bring an end to keeping whales and dolphins in captivity for the purposes of entertainment. Increasingly, the global community shares our commitment to a time when all captive cetaceans have been retired to coastal sanctuaries.
The key to the fulfillment of this vision is for those sanctuaries to be created.
And that is why the whale sanctuary in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, is being designed to set the gold standard for many more that can then be built all over the world in the coming years.
An authentic sanctuary
Above: The sanctuary location at Port Hilford, Nova Scotia.
An authentic sanctuary is by definition a place where the wellbeing of the residents is always the priority.
There are already hundreds of authentic land-based sanctuaries all over the world: for elephants, big cats, bears, great apes and many other animals.
It is time to do the same for whales and dolphins.
Above: View of the perimeter net that defines the sanctuary space.
The sanctuary at Port Hilford will occupy more than 100 acres of water space from Rocky Point (far right) around to Barachois Island (upper left) and to the adjacent wharf where the sanctuary buildings will be located.
Above: Looking out over the sanctuary space from the wharf.
Port Hilford is a wonderful site. It offers expansive space and good depth for the whales to swim, dive and experience a natural sea-side environment. They can explore the sea-floor, chase birds on the surface and spend their time in nature. They can have a new life that makes up for as much as possible of what went before.
In the links below, you can explore how, after a two-year search on both coasts of North America, we chose Port Hilford as the ideal location for a whale sanctuary. Check out some preliminary designs for the system of nets that will form the perimeter of the sanctuary, along with the layouts and floor plans of the animal care buildings. And browse the answers to the questions we are most frequently asked about the sanctuary:
What Makes an Ideal Sanctuary Site
Read about our search of North American coasts for the best location for the sanctuary.
Sanctuary Perimeter Net and Building Designs
Check out these hi-tech sanctuary nets and sample floor plans.