BREAKING NEWS:
PROTECT THIS FOREST FOREVER
Double Bay Sanctuary Foundation has signed a deal to purchase adjoining forest land. Help us protect 54 acres of forest and preserve its biodiversity forever.
DOUBLE BAY SANCTUARY FOUNDATION
Our vision is to create a retirement homefor Northern Resident Orca Corky and to promote ocean healththrough restoration, science and education.
Double Bay Sanctuary is located in the unceeded territory of the Kwakwa̱ka̱‘wa̱kw People. We acknowledge the
Mama̱liliḵ̓a̱la, ‘Na̱mgis and Ławit̓sis Nations as the stewards of these territories since time immemorial.
G̱ilakas’la
The retirement of Northern Resident Orca Corky to Double Bay Sanctuary would establish an unprecedented living laboratory, offering profound and ethical insights into orca culture, cognition, and conservation within an intact ecosystem.
Double Bay Sanctuary welcomes researchers, conservationists, donors, cultural retreats, and students as a living laboratory and convening center. We offer field-based opportunities to explore and learn within vibrant marine and coastal ecosystems in the Broughton Archipelago.
Double Bay Sanctuary restores Hanson Island and surrounding ecosystems, through cleanup and restoration projects that remove debris, protect habitat, and support long-term conservation.
PROTECT THE FOREST FOREVER
HAPPENING AT DOUBLE BAY
JUNE 1, 2026
3rd Annual Marine Debris Clean Up in Double Bay
Our third annual Marine Debris Cleanup was another incredible success, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers and partners. A special thank you to Pacific Pro Dive and the Pacific Scuba Club divers, who once again volunteered their time and expertise to recover debris from below the surface. We are also grateful to our international volunteers, who sorted and prepared the collected materials for recycling, and to Ocean Legacy's Ocean Plastic Depot, whose recycling program ensures ocean plastics are diverted from the landfill and transformed into new products.
Together, we removed 770 kg (1,697 lbs) of marine debris. Of that, 580 kg was diverted from the landfill, including 390 kg of ocean plastics, 150 kg of metal, and 40 kg of glass, achieving an impressive 75.32% recycling diversion rate. Protecting Double Bay means protecting an ecosystem where life flourishes. From the smallest intertidal organisms to the whales that pass through these waters.
MAY 3, 2026
New Roof & Foundation!
Audy Contracting returned to Double Bay Sanctuary for another major phase of construction, helping bring the next stage of our vision to life. Their continued commitment, skilled craftsmanship, and generosity have played an invaluable role in transforming the sanctuary's facilities.
Following their previous work stabilizing the Main Lodge with a new foundation and custom-milled yellow cedar deck, the team turned their attention to our second wing. This phase included installing a brand-new foundation and durable metal roof, providing a strong, lasting structure as renovations move forward.
These improvements are an important step toward expanding our accommodations, allowing us to welcome more researchers, conservation partners, volunteers, and guests at one time while ensuring the buildings are built to serve the sanctuary for many years to come.
WHY DOUBLE BAY IS A BOLD AND TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT
Double Bay Sanctuary is the ideal retirement home for Corky. It is situated in a protected bay with room for a 15 acre netted enclosure with depths up to 80’, good flushing tidal flow for clean water, and is pristine and isolated, yet near to towns for easy access by water. In addition, the former fishing lodge on the bay purchased by Michael Reppy in 2018 is being rebuilt to house a SeaWorld team who will provide the feeding and medical care Corky needs. Double Bay opens to Blackfish Sound, which is a major highway for the northern resident orcas, including Corky’s A5 family.
This will be a model ecological facility, now fully solar powered. A new waste water system has been installed and the prior system discharging into the bay has been decommissioned. We support clean healthy oceans, restored watersheds, phasing out of all open-net salmon farms, and the return of wild salmon. Two non-profit foundations have been established to administer the facility and for fundraising: the Double Bay Sanctuary Foundation in British Columbia, and Friends of Double Bay Sanctuary in the US.
There are many steps to take to realize this vision. Double Bay lies on traditional First Nation Territories requiring prior informed consent, and consultations are underway with the ‘Namgis First Nation Council. Requests have been made to begin the process of permitting with Canadian government agencies. The most crucial step is SeaWorld agreeing to collaborate with us to retire Corky to the Sanctuary. Please join us in our quest for the repatriation of Corky to her home waters.
