Marineland has outlined multiple reasons why it opposes the transfer of its remaining 30 belugas to a proposed whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The Ontario theme park, aiming to sell the belugas to avert bankruptcy, faced a setback when Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson rejected the permit request to send Canada’s last captive whales to a Chinese aquarium.
Responding to financial constraints hindering whale care, Marineland sought emergency funding from Ottawa, cautioning that euthanasia might be the only option if funding is unavailable. While Minister Thompson supports the idea of a sanctuary, Marineland contends that the proposed Whale Sanctuary Project location in Wine Harbour, N.S., is unsuitable due to unresolved environmental issues and financial uncertainties.
Marineland’s owners released a report highlighting concerns about the polluted condition of the proposed sanctuary site, emphasizing the lack of progress since its 2020 announcement. The report questions the site’s environmental viability and financial sustainability, casting doubts on the project’s timeline for accommodating cetaceans.
Proponent Charles Vinick of the Whale Sanctuary Project defended the initiative, citing completed environmental assessments and plans for a floating net enclosure to house the belugas. Addressing Marineland’s environmental objections, Vinick assured that mitigation measures are in place for issues like arsenic contamination, emphasizing that the project’s funding relies on private donations without government support.
Despite facing opposition from local landowners and regulatory hurdles, the Whale Sanctuary Project aims to provide a refuge for captive marine animals. The project’s progress hinges on obtaining consent from landowners, securing regulatory approvals, and addressing concerns raised by stakeholders. In a similar context, French authorities rejected a sanctuary proposal for killer whales in France, citing concerns over project readiness and oceanic conditions.
Marineland has faced criticism over the deaths of several marine animals in recent years, although the company maintains that these incidents are part of the natural lifecycle. The debate over the fate of captive belugas underscores the complexity of balancing animal welfare, environmental concerns, and financial viability in the context of marine conservation efforts.
