We are driven forward by a shared vision of a future world in which all cetaceans are accorded the right to be safe, free and treated with respect.  Such a world will have no place for concrete tanks which serve to hold other sentient beings – beings who will be forced to perform for our entertainment.  Here in Canada, we took a monumental step towards this future in 2019 with the passage of a bill that will end the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity. 

With every passing year, public opinion in one country after another continues to push governments to consider similar measures.  Our view of not only what’s morally proper, but also of how we wish to interact with whales and dolphins is changing.  Policy makers are beginning to respond, and what’s happened here will certainly be repeated many times elsewhere.  We will not be the last.

In the meantime, approximately 3,600 cetaceans remain in captivity worldwide.  Bottlenose dolphins represent by far the largest percentage, with belugas and orcas also making up significant blocks.  As we dismantle this archaic and exploitative industry, the majority of these individuals will need someplace to go.  In some cases it’s been possible to rehabilitate for a return for the wild, but in a great many others – such as for those born in captivity, or who’ve been held for a long time – we will not be able to transfer the skills necessary for survival in the wild.  This means that we will need sanctuaries – a great many of them.

Which brings us to the hugely valuable and important work currently being done by the Whale Sanctuary Project.  Pictured above is the site selected for the first open-water sanctuary of its kind, to be opened in 2023.  We are delighted that a location in Canada was selected for what is intended to be the gold-standard for facilities of this kind.  Knowledge gained from the development of this site – and we are indeed learning a great deal – will be shared with others working on behalf of cetaceans anywhere around the world.  The Project’s leadership hopes that this will result in replication, and thus the establishment of many other such sanctuaries elsewhere.

As we enter into 2022, we at CCA are inspired by this vision of a future so many dedicated and talented people around the world have chosen to pursue.  Every formerly-captive cetacean we’ll be able to retire to a coastal sanctuary will be a huge win.  In addition to the individual whales and dolphins themselves, the winners will be our cherished values of compassion and justice.  

Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, is above all else a place of hope.  It is our recognition of the fact that our own species’ future will depend on our being able to live in harmony with wildlife and nature.  When completed, this sanctuary will be a place that demonstrates our respect for those other magnificent beings we share this world with.

We wish all of our readers a peaceful and prosperous New Year, and feel privileged to offer our heartfelt thanks for everything you do to help us build a better world for everyone. 

For The Orca’s Voice, 

Chris, Anna, Dani, Jason, Dakota & Phil, Canadian Cetacean Alliance