How we selected Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, as the ideal location for a gold-standard sanctuary for whales being retired from marine entertainment parks and aquariums.
In our search, on the east and west coasts of the United States and Canada, we were guided by three main considerations:
Physical criteria: These included basic oceanographic and hydrologic analyses of depth, sea-floor conditions, tides and currents, run-off and pollution, flora and fauna, as well as where and how to build the nets, and access to fresh water and electric power.
Impacts on wildlife: In addition to being concerned about how sanctuary residents might be affected by local wildlife, we also had to evaluate potential impacts they may have on free-ranging animals outside of the sanctuary. This was particularly sensitive in areas that are critical habitat for endangered populations like the Southern Resident orcas in the Northwest and North Atlantic right whales in the Northeast.
Community interests: Equally important are the concerns of the local community: commercial and recreational fishing interests, access for boats, population density along the shoreline and other “stakeholder interests.” We understood that when a local community embraces the idea of having a whale sanctuary and sees it as a long-term benefit to all that they hold dear for their community, then we would have a partnership that will lead to successfully creating a home for captive orcas and belugas.
Our basic specs for the sanctuary included:- 100 acres of water
- Sufficient depth for the whales to dive and explore
- Protection from extreme weather
- Free of sewage, pollutants and noise
- Good flushing rate
- Ability to create separate areas for medical and management
- Not a lot of human activity or boat traffic.
Selection of Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, for the sanctuary

Site Development Work

- the ranges of water temperature;
- whether there is runoff from the shore during storms and if it contains any detrimental pollution;
- details about currents, tides and wave action and how these change during storms;
- whether there are any underwater sounds that might disturb or alter whale behavior;
- and what other kinds of animals live in and around the bay.
Selecting the boundaries of the sanctuary
The site development phase was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of the border between Canada and the United States, and even between Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. But with lots of teleconferencing, along with help and support from the local community, we were able to press ahead. And in March 2021, we were delighted to announce that the sanctuary would be located in over 100 acres of ocean around the wharf near the mouth of Port Hilford Bay the wharf and around Barachois Island to Rocky Point.