Sanctuary site search Deciding a site won't work is easy; understanding why is what gets lost. This tool keeps the reasoning in one shared place, so anyone, specialist or not, can trace why each site holds up or is ruled out, and how far the evidence goes. v5.6.8
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How to read this catalog

1
Start on the map.

Shortlisted and under-investigation sites are shown by default. Use the status buttons on the left of the map to show the others, rejected sites included.

2
Open a site.

Click its pin, then View, to read the full sheet: key criteria, green, orange and red flags, drawings and sources.

3
Follow the reasoning.

Every rejected site keeps the reasons it was ruled out, so each decision can be traced and questioned.

What each status means
Under investigation: data still being gathered.
Shortlisted: meets the key criteria on the data available; field checks still to come.
Recommended: confirmed after field checks. None so far.
Rejected: fails at least one key criterion; the reasons stay on the site sheet.

How to add a site

1
Two ways to add a site
  • From the Map Preview tab (here in this tool): click anywhere on the map to drop a new site right at that spot.
  • From Google Maps (in your browser): right-click the location, click the coordinates to copy them, then paste them into "+ Add site".
2
Work in stages.

Don't be overwhelmed by the number of fields. They let us build complete reports for the shortlisted sites, but it's totally fine to enter just the GPS coordinates, depth and whether the site is sheltered at first.

First pass Log every candidate site with the minimum info: GPS, depth and sheltered.
Second pass Focus your investigation time on the shortlisted sites and fill in the deeper criteria.

Editing is locked by default. Click the title five times to unlock.

Key criteria recap

These are the ideal ranges we use to eliminate sites and sort the rest into categories. A site with shallower or deeper water can still be suitable, as long as its depth profile encompasses the ideal range. Further detail is provided in Dr Ingrid Visser's document.

Deepest point12 to 40 m
Surface≥ 0.4 ha
Swim length≥ 195 m
Tidal range5 m max
Water T°9 to 30 °C
Water T° for dolphins≥ 12 °C
Below 12 °C: to confirm, with gradual seasonal acclimation.
Air T°≥ 0 °C
Site must be protected from dominant winds & storms and located away from intense human activity zones.
Flag levels
Green flags: strengths and favorable conditions of the site.
Orange flags: real constraints that can be worked around with mitigation (exclusion zone, baffles, negotiation). The site stays in the running.
Red flags: eliminatory issues with no possible compromise (too exposed, too shallow, military exclusion). These lead to rejection.

Online resources

Bathymetry & nautical charts
Investigation resources coming soon
  • Copernicus Marine (ocean physics, climatology)
  • EMODnet Physics (buoys, in situ sensors)
  • OFB Open Data
  • DIRM NAMO (façade maritime data)
FULL CRITERIA DOCUMENT

French Orca Sanctuary Site Criteria

by Dr Ingrid Visser · Online search 20260617

Choosing a location for a seaside cetacean sanctuary requires strict environmental, logistical, and legal parameters to ensure animal welfare needs are met. In an ideal site the animals will be provided with a significantly larger and deeper natural environment that would mimic what they might experience if they were living in the wild.

No sanctuary can provide these animals with the space that they would normally travel over, or the depths that they would dive to if they were free-ranging. But mimicking some of the environment is a vast improvement on the barren and featureless concrete tanks they are currently living in.

The following criteria are just a sample of some of the key points, it is by no means a comprehensive list. Some aspects may be slightly flexible (for example, if a site was effectively 'great' except for the maximum size being smaller than the 'best case' scenario, then the site still might be selected, as long as the size was not smaller than the current facility). Some aspects of site selection are intrinsically linked.

Logically, each site is unique and every site will have aspects that are less than ideal. However, cumulatively the aim is to provide a site that will provide improved physical and welfare conditions for the orca and be a long-term solution for them.

1

Physical Dimensions and Depth

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The size and depths of the sanctuary site are not selected independently of the sea pen size and depth (see section 8). Also the type of structure used to build the sea pen is an intrinsic part of the overall site selection.

For example, a site that is very deep may require only floating sea pens, whilst a site that has a deep zone with surrounding shallows may be suitable for a fixed structure. A fjord may be very deep and at the entrance have a terminal moraine that is sufficiently shallow to build a fixed structure across the entrance. Ideally, a site will have a variety of depths to provide the orca with environmental complexity.

Minimum depth: The site should not be shallower than the current facility (maximum depth of 11 m in the show tank at Marineland Antibes).

In an ideal site, there should be depths of at least 15 but preferably 20 metres. Some sites may include much deeper areas, which would be good for the animals.

Sufficient area: The enclosed space must allow for continuous swimming paths, preferably not less than 500 m in any one direction. At an absolute minimum the area for the orca should never be less than the current size they have, and the same for the depth. Ideally the area would be at least three times larger, preferably 10 times larger or more.

Tides: No large tides as those impact structures and water depths. Maximum of 5 m tide is recommended.

Topographical protection: Embayments can provide protection against severe weather.

2

Water Quality and Flow

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Salinity levels at the site must meet pH criteria and other chemistry requirements.

Pollutant absence: Waters entering the site (rivers, streams, storm runoff etc) must be free from agricultural runoff, industrial heavy metals and other environmental pollutants.

Water quality at the site must be tested and would be expected to meet legal requirements for safe water conditions.

Flushing rate: Tidal flux and natural currents are required to naturally clear out metabolic waste.

3

Acoustic Environment

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Low ambient noise: Sites must be located away from commercial shipping lanes and high boat traffic zones (such as marina entrances). If this is not feasible, then acoustic baffles must be installed.

Construction restrictions: The area must prohibit high-impact pile driving or sonar testing and any other high-impact anthropogenic noise sources.

4

Oceanographic and Weather Protection

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Sheltered geography: Embayments, fjords or coves should protect the perimeter from extreme weather such as storm surges. The direction of the prevalent weather should be taken into account.

Wave action: Surface waves should be minimal to prevent damage to netting and other floating infrastructure. The geography of the site is linked to this (the fetch between the site and the land that would protect the opening to the site should be taken into consideration). To prevent any unexpected storm damage, wave mitigation baffles should be installed as a precaution.

Wind breaks: Surrounding cliffs or hills can help reduce structural stress from high-velocity winds.

5

Water and Air Temperature Profiles

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Thermal consistency: Temperatures must match the specific orca ecotype's native range or the temperature that it has been exposed to for the majority of its life whilst in captivity.

Water surface temperatures should remain within the temperatures that the individual(s) have been exposed to during the majority of their life in captivity. Where necessary, mitigation measures should be applied to cool the upper water layer (pumping water from deeper cooler areas, cooling water with machines, agitating the upper water surfaces, creating an endless current style water system).

Thermocline monitoring: Deep water layers should remain cool during peak summer months.

Ice prevention: Winter surface water must not freeze over entirely.

Air temperatures should not exceed temperatures the individual(s) have been exposed to whilst in captivity. If this is not feasible, then mitigation measures should be installed (shade, misting machines, pumping cooler water from depths and spraying it into the air).

6

Ecological Compatibility

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Pathogen screening: The area must lack historical blooms of toxic marine algae.

Local wildlife impact: Enclosures should not disrupt critical migration corridors of wild species.

Vector control: The site should minimise risk from localised fauna which can introduce parasites etc. For example, a nesting colony of gulls nearby might result in birds attempting to take fish from the orca or birds defecating into the sea pen at a high rate.

7

Shore-Based Infrastructure Support

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Road access: Heavy vehicles require reliable paths to transport food and medical supplies.

Power: A stable electrical connection is vital for running continuous freezers for the animals food. This can be done with solar, but must include a generator system and adequate fuel storage to keep the system autonomous for at least 2 weeks.

Fresh water supply: Fresh water, or the power to create it through osmosis, including back up on-site water tanks for cleaning and preparing food and staff health and safety. Some areas require large on-site tanks for responding to fires.

Docks: Deep-water piers are necessary for secure boat deployments. Alternatively an all-weather boat ramp and amphibious boats could be used. Transferring orca on arrival or for critical care may require deep water access. A permanent lifting crane that can accommodate a full-grown adult male orca may be mounted onto the dock.

Housing for staff and visiting scientists. Proximity to infrastructure (supermarket, transport, medical care, schools).

Critical care tank: Space for building an on-land critical care tank with a floor that can be lifted, plus an adjacent on-land tank or a channel to a floating sea pen.

Travel options: Proximity to international or well-connected domestic airports. Crucially, proximity to an airport that can accommodate the plane used to transport the orca (usually a Hercules C130 or similar). A draft transport plan has been designed for the Brest site, with a max drive time from airstrip to dock of 4 hours.

8a

Water-Based Infrastructure (sea pen)

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The final configuration of the sanctuary, i.e. the size, shape and layout of enclosures, will depend on the location.

The facility is to be built for x2 orca (a mother and her son) and therefore it must be feasible to separate the two during ovulation of the female. Additionally, four other orca in Europe currently housed in concrete tanks may potentially be moved into the sanctuary as companions for Wikie and Keijo, so inter-relationships may require modification of the enclosures. Injured orca from entanglements, strandings or other situations may also require temporary or long-term rehabilitation. The design should futureproof the sanctuary.

A genuine sanctuary does not breed its animals, so additional enclosures may be needed to prevent pregnancy if contraception is not suitable.

Main enclosure: as large as the entire tank complex at the originating facility. At least two other enclosures (holding + critical care/medical). The holding enclosure should not be less than the size of the largest tank at the originating facility.

The sanctuary should provide space to encourage full use of the site by the orca, including sub-surface swimming. There should be sufficient space for freedom of movement, natural behaviours and the opportunity to escape from one another in social conflicts.

Construction types: floating pen (with surrounding walkways), or fixed structure (floating nets affixed to benthos, or a solid fence-type structure similar to an elephant enclosure). Hybrids are an option.

Structures must include an exclusion zone (to keep people and boats out) and a safety barrier (to keep the orca in, should they escape from the sea pen area). Wave baffles may be incorporated into either.

8b

Legal and Jurisdictional Framework

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Exclusive sovereignty: Clear maritime leasing rights prevent conflicting commercial use. Clear purchasing or long-term (e.g. 100 year) leasing of land for supporting infrastructure such as freezers, on-site laboratory, net repair workshop, gear storage, security staffing, animal care housing.

Environmental permitting: Local zoning laws must permit permanent marine mammal structures and land-based infrastructure.

Selection processes must respect water rights of locals. We are after a site that is YIMBY (yes, in my backyard), not NIMBY (not in my backyard).

9

Supply Chains and Veterinary Proximity

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Frozen storage: Large facilities are needed onsite (land-adjacent) to store sufficient quantities of fish (at least one month's supply).

Expert medical access for both staff and orca: the site must be within reasonable travel distance for specialised veterinarians, or where not feasible, bespoke access must be designed. Medical access for staff in case of injuries.

Diagnostic labs: Proximity to water-testing and pathology labs speeds up health screenings. Some tests would be feasible onsite, but specialised testing will also be required.

10

Security and Staff

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Animal care staff must be on site 24/7. Appropriate facilities must be available on site (weather appropriate shade/shelter, food preparation areas, rest zones, shower and toilet facilities, changing rooms).

The water-based perimeter requires isolation from unauthorised watercraft and people approaching in the water (swimmers, divers).

The land-based perimeter requires isolation from unauthorised people. Depending on the site this may require extensive areas to be fenced and must include security cameras.

Controlled vantage points: Land-based observation decks could be built to allow public education without stressing the animals. An education center at or nearby the site may be considered.

Security policing: The geography must allow for effective 24/7 camera surveillance and security personnel access.

Filter by status
Country:
Site ID Site name Country Department Ranking Green flag Orange flag Red flag Next step Last edited on Last edited by Access Human presence Human activity Deepest point (m) Surface (ha) Water T° (°C) Air T° (°C) Max tidal range (m) Sheltered Added by Added on MPA
Generate a report

Reports

Output
HTML Report
Paginated A4 document with in-place editing. Print to PDF from the browser.
Google Earth (KML)
Colored pins by status, drawings and measures included.
Geographic scope
France only All countries (incl. international)
Statuses to include
Level of detail
Green = included. Families with no data are skipped automatically.
Cover page
📐 Measure & Draw
Centered on this site (satellite). Draw the footprint polygon: area and longest swim are computed automatically. "Save to site + map" fills Surface + Max swim and shares the drawing with everyone.
New drawing

This site already has a drawing

Clean up red flags

Backup first. This writes to the shared database and cannot be undone from here. Click Backup in the top bar to download a JSON + CSV copy before applying.

Fill local authorities

Prefectures are computed offline from each department code. Commune, EPCI and any missing department are looked up from GPS via geo.api.gouv.fr. Only empty fields are filled; manual entries are never overwritten. Re-runnable.

Backup first. This writes to the shared database. Click Backup in the top bar to download a JSON + CSV copy before applying.

Check drawing labels

A drawing keeps the label it was given when it was created, so renaming a site leaves the old name on the map. Listed below: main sanctuary areas only, where the label no longer matches the site name. Defense lines, free draws, measurements and markers carry shared generic labels and are never checked.

Nothing is ticked by default. Only the boxes you tick are renamed. Re-runnable.

Restore from full backup

Everything below is written to the shared database: sites and sources are upserted (same id overwritten, others kept), drawings and report corrections re-created, photos re-uploaded to Storage. Current data not present in the archive is left untouched.

Back up the current state first. This overwrites shared records. It is safe to re-run.
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