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Whale Sanctuary

Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada / Global · 45.18°N · 61.78°W

Creating natural seaside sanctuaries to end the captivity of whales and dolphins.

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3,000+whales and dolphins held captive worldwide

About Whale Sanctuary

The Whale Sanctuary Project is creating a coastal sanctuary for whales and dolphins retired from captivity, and supports marine mammal rescue worldwide.

Thousands of whales and dolphins still live in captivity in entertainment venues around the world, confined to tanks that are a tiny fraction of the ranges they would cover in the ocean. For animals this intelligent and social, life in a concrete enclosure cannot meet their needs.

The Whale Sanctuary Project exists to end that exploitation by building a genuine alternative. Its central work is developing a model seaside sanctuary in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, offering vastly more space than any tank and designed to be a gold standard that can be replicated elsewhere.

What they do

Sanctuary creation

Building a coastal sanctuary where captive whales and dolphins can live in natural waters.

Whale Aid

Supporting marine mammal rescue and response efforts around the world.

Science and research

Deepening understanding of whale and dolphin welfare, behaviour and care.

Whale Sanctuary – photo 1Whale Sanctuary – photo 2

Projects & appeals

Building North America's First Whale SanctuaryEcoflix's $25,000 donation is helping build North America's first seaside whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia, where orcas and belugas retired from tanks can finally

News from Whale Sanctuary

Push for Greater Transparency and a Better Future for Captive WhalesSeptember 2026 · Renewed calls for openness on the welfare of whales in captivity, and a hopeful vision of sanctuary and return to nature.Renewed Calls for Sanctuary as Questions Follow Beluga's DeathAugust 2026 · The death of a beluga whale at Shedd Aquarium has prompted fresh questions about the welfare of belugas in human care.Call for Aquariums to Rule Out Breeding of Beluga WhalesAugust 2026 · The Whale Sanctuary Project is urging two aquariums to commit to a no-breeding pledge for belugas brought from Marineland, in line with CanaAdvocates Urge Genuine Sanctuary Solutions for Marineland's WhalesAugust 2026 · The Whale Sanctuary Project is calling for scrutiny as whales face possible transfer from Marineland Canada to US facilities.Belugas Moved On From Marineland as Push for Humane Sanctuary Solutions ContinuesJuly 2026 · The transfer of beluga whales brings an end to a long-running crisis and renews calls for genuine retirement options for captive whales.Ground broken for coastal whale sanctuary in Nova ScotiaJuly 2026 · Officials, community members and Indigenous representatives gathered to mark the start of work at the sanctuary site.New Agreement Unites Mi'kmaw Chiefs and Whale Sanctuary Project on Marine StewardshipJuly 2026 · A landmark Memorandum of Understanding pairs Indigenous worldviews with hands-on conservation and education in Nova Scotia.New Homes Confirmed for Marineland Canada's Beluga WhalesJuly 2026 · Thirty belugas are set to move on as attention turns to their care and future welfare.

Be part of the movement

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