Nova Scotia's Whale Sanctuary Project to break ground but Crown lease still unsigned

The site for a proposed whale sanctuary is seen in an area near Wine Harbour, N.S., in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Whale Sanctuary Project

WINE HARBOUR — A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled this afternoon in eastern Nova Scotia to mark the start of construction for North America’s first coastal refuge for whales retired from marine theme parks.

The U.S.-based Whale Sanctuary Project first announced plans to build a 40-hectare floating net enclosure near Wine Harbour more than six years ago.

And in October of last year, Premier Tim Houston’s cabinet approved a 20-year Crown lease for the project.

But the provincial government confirmed this week that it still needs to work out some details before signing a lease for the property.


Meanwhile, the project requires permits from the federal Fisheries Department and plenty of fundraising to cover the $15-million cost of construction and $1.5 million in annual operating expenses.

Still, the privately funded non-profit organization says it is poised to begin building whale care and marine operations facilities near a wharf that extends into Barachois Cove at the southern end of Indian harbour.

The group’s plan calls for a seaside pen as big as 50 football fields that can hold up to 10 orcas or belugas.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2026.