Members of the Whale Sanctuary Project will hold a meeting in Port Hawkesbury Monday.
It’s part of a series of meetings, which will also be held in Sherbrooke, Sheet Harbour, Dartmouth and Liverpool, about a potential sanctuary for whales that have been in captivity.
Group members are trying to find a 40-hectare area along the Atlantic shore of our province that can become a home to whales retired from entertainment facilities or injured and in need of rehabilitation within a netted-off area.
They say most of the whales never learned survival skills, so they can’t be released into the open ocean, but a seaside sanctuary will give them a chance in a natural ecosystem.
Charles Vinick, the executive director of the Whale Sanctuary Project, tells The Hawk they want to help the whales thrive.
“We’re looking to provide a natural seaside environment where the whales can live more productive lives.”
Vinnick says a community could benefit from being home to a sanctuary.
“There is perhaps a need for local jobs,” he says. “We will also be a customer of frozen fish to feed the animals.”
Vinick says there would be economic benefits, including the creation of an education centre.
The meeting will be held at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre at 6:30 p.m.
