After years of debate over the future of captive marine mammals, a major step forward has brought new optimism for beluga whales once housed at Marineland in Niagara Falls. The recent approval of a dedicated whale sanctuary marks a turning point in how Canada approaches marine animal welfare.
This sanctuary will provide a more natural, spacious environment where the belugas can swim freely, explore, and experience the ocean’s rhythm without the confinement of concrete tanks. Marineland’s belugas have been at the centre of public concern and animal welfare discussions.
The move toward sanctuary care represents both compassion and progress, a recognition that these intelligent, social creatures deserve a life that mirrors their natural habitat as closely as possible.
It’s not just a victory for the whales involved but a milestone for the broader movement to create humane, sustainable alternatives for marine life in human care.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Sanctuary projects vary in scope and design, and timelines for implementation may change. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
A Sanctuary Born From Controversy
Marineland, long under scrutiny for its treatment of marine animals, closed its doors, but the question of what to do with its remaining whales quickly became urgent. The park once housed dozens of belugas and an orca, with at least 20 whale passings reported since 2019, according to data compiled by The Canadian Press.
When Marineland proposed exporting 30 belugas to China, Canada’s Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson rejected the request, citing ethical and welfare concerns. She stated that approving the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment.
A Safe Haven On Nova Scotia’s Coast
The approved sanctuary, located in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, will transform a natural cove into a vast ocean refuge, roughly 100 times larger than Marineland’s tanks. Designed by the Whale Sanctuary Project, the site will allow belugas to swim freely in real ocean water, experience natural tides, and explore while still receiving necessary human care.
Animal Justice described the project as a refuge where the whales can finally live in peace, in the ocean where they belong. Once construction is completed, which could be as early as summer 2026, the Ontario and federal governments will work together to relocate as many of Marineland’s belugas as possible.
A Step Toward Compassionate Care
Canada banned whale and dolphin captivity in 2019, signalling a nationwide shift toward more humane treatment of marine life. The new sanctuary represents not only a home for displaced belugas but also a model for global leadership in ethical animal care.
Kaitlyn Mitchell, Director of Legal Advocacy at Animal Justice, celebrated the decision, saying this sanctuary finally offers a real path to freedom for many of Canada’s last remaining captive whales. For animals that can never be released into the wild, the sanctuary offers something long overdue: a dignified second chance to live in ocean waters, not concrete tanks.
