This is the sixth in a series of posts about our work in the first quarter of 2024.
The costs of establishing the sanctuary generally fall into two categories: the capital costs of building the sanctuary facilities and the operating costs of the day-to-day work of our staff to manage all aspects of developing the sanctuary and advocating broadly for cetacean sanctuaries.
For the capital costs, we are seeking significant donations from major donors as well as from all donors who want to support construction of the state-of-the-art bay pen, perimeter net, the land-based facilities and infrastructure, etc. From one major donor we have $5 million pledged for when we complete the remaining requirements for permitting. From another, we are receiving $1 million toward construction of the bay pen.
And we are seeking $10 million more to cover these capital costs.
Operating costs also fall into two categories: First, our operating costs during site selection and development which began with the search for the most suitable sanctuary location and then included a three-year series of environmental studies in and around the bay, along with the many other requirements for permitting, and established an operations & visitors center in the small nearby town of Sherbrooke. Once the first whales arrive at the sanctuary, operating costs will be focused primarily on their care.
We are now seeking funds for both the capital expenditures for construction of the sanctuary and the operations to get the job done.
In the above video, Charles Vinick, executive director of the Whale Sanctuary Project, outlines the costs involved in creating the sanctuary and providing for the whales over time.
Currently our funds are being channeled into three major efforts:
* Work by site professionals and civil engineers to determine precisely how the land-based portion of the site needs to be prepared for the building foundations, parking areas and foot paths, as well as where best to locate our land-based infrastructure, including potable water, septic systems, and power.
Your donation is the key to completing the sanctuary.
* The design and engineering of the large bay pen that will be the initial home for all whales coming to the sanctuary. The bay pen will serve as an essential physical and psychological introduction to what will ultimately be an ocean environment that’s orders of magnitude larger than any space these animals have ever encountered. It is a key element in our accelerated plan to welcome Wikie and Keijo, along with other whales whom we may be able to bring to the sanctuary before the perimeter net is fully installed and permanent sanctuary facilities for all staff functions are completed.
* The diplomatic efforts to negotiate bringing the whales to the sanctuary. These include ongoing meetings with French government officials, NGOs, veterinarians and other organizations and stakeholders. Our team is also laying the groundwork for the months of work that will be necessary for an onsite team at Marineland Antibes, beginning with comprehensive health and behavior analyses by independent veterinarians, along with medical treatment and other rehabilitation, and then preparation and rehearsals for their journey to Nova Scotia.
Looking ahead to the time when the sanctuary has welcomed its first whales and has completed the perimeter net and permanent facilities, operating funds will provide for the care of the whales who will live there.
Every stage of preparing the sanctuary to be ready to welcome the first whales according to our accelerated plan has a cost attached to it. This means that we need to have raised the necessary funds before we can begin each stage of the necessary work.
We cannot take the next steps without you.
Your donation, large or small, and whether as a monthly sustaining donor or as a one-time contributor, is the key to bringing this project to fruition.
Thank you for being part of the Whale Sanctuary Project.