Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies
Incentive Program

 

 

 

Holly Galbreath, Air Quality Specialist II (805) 303-3665
Tyler Harris, Planning, Rules and Incentives Manager (805) 303-3661

This program publicizes shipping companies’ efforts to voluntarily reduce their speeds in the Santa Barbara Channel and other areas of the California coast. It is a collaborative effort among the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, other air districts, marine sanctuaries and nonprofit organizations.

Vessels traveling in shipping lanes through the Santa Barbara Channel are a significant source of air pollutants in Ventura County, with prevailing winds carrying them onshore. Reducing ship speeds decreases engine load and fuel consumption, which cuts emissions of nitrogen oxides, diesel particulate matter, sulfur compounds and greenhouse gases.

Since the program’s inception in 2014, participating vessels have slowed down for more than 1.2 million miles (1.1 million nautical miles), resulting in emission reductions of more than:
 

• 150,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases
• 4,500 tons of oxides of nitrogen

 

Slowing down also reduces the risk of fatal ship strikes to whale and the volume of underwater noise.

The program runs from May to December to coincide with the season when concentrations of ground-level ozone, or smog, are typically high and whales are migrating and feeding in the area. Automatic Identification System transponders transmit ships’ speed and location data, which is analyzed for each fleet.

History:

The district partnered with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Environmental Defense Center to launch the program in 2014. It started in the Santa Barbara Channel with seven shipping lines. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the partnership’s 2014-15 efforts with a Clean Air Excellence Award.

The program has since spread to include more of the Southern California coast and a region covering San Francisco and Monterey bays.
 

 

The partnership has expanded to include the following:
 

• Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
• California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
• Monterey Bay Air Resources District
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Sanctuaries
• Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
• San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
• Ventura County Air Pollution Control District

 

2023 Results:

Thirty-three global shipping companies participated and slowed down to 11.5 miles (10 nautical miles) per hour or less for a combined 432,000 miles (375,000 nautical miles). This resulted in emission reductions of:
 

• 45,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases
• 1,250 tons of oxides of nitrogen

 

Among the 2023 participating fleets, the following 13 received the top-level Sapphire award for slowing down for 85% or more of the distance they traveled through the zones:
 

Ambassadors:

The following companies and ports have become program ambassadors to demonstrate their commitment to shipping more sustainably and reducing their supply chains’ negative effects on biodiversity:

 

 

For more information:

Visit the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies website.

 

 

 

 

 

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