Terence Bay scratched as killer whale sanctuary site

An organization looking to set up a killer whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia has scratched Terence Bay o its wish list in the face of opposition from local shermen.

Earlier this month, the Whale Sanctuary Project announced it had narrowed its choice down to a stretch of coast west of Halifax, though at the time it declined to name the exact spot, or a location in the Pacific northwest.

But Brendan Maguire, Liberal MLA for Halifax-atlantic, shared a letter with his constituents on social media ursday indicating that the Terence Bay site is now o cially o the list of potential spots for the refuge meant for orcas and beluga whales retired from aquariums.

“Based on my discussions with members of the communities of Terence Bay, West Pennant, and Sambro communities, and our further assessment of the site of interest in Terence Bay, we have determined that the Whale Sanctuary Project should continue our consideration of other sites in Nova Scotia and beyond,” Charles Vinick, executive director of the Whale Sanctuary Project, said in the letter.

Maguire said a recent public meeting about the sanctuary in Terence Bay met with opposition from local residents.

“Most people, if not everyone, agreed that this was a great idea,” he said.

“ e concept of allowing these animals to, essentially, retire in peace is a fantastic idea. But I think that there was a lot of concern about potential impact to the shing industry.”

Locals didn’t feel they’d been properly consulted about the $ 20- million project, Maguire said.

“ ey were never asked if this is what they wanted,” he said.

Residents were worried the whale sanctuary could take over valuable shing territory.

“We just wouldn’t want it,” said Sambro lobster sherman Paddy Grey.

“It would a ect our livelihood.” e sanctuary organizers were looking at an area near Betty Island lighthouse to net o for the whales, Grey said.

“ at’s a primary shing zone,” he said, noting it’s also popular with local sailors.

Lori Marino, who heads the Whale Sanctuary Project, said ursday the organization is still looking for other potential sites in this province.

“We haven’t given up on Nova Scotia,” Marino said in an email.