Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies

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. In 2026, cruise lines were invited to participate in the program.

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:

• 200,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases
• 5,900 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 spread to include more of the Southern California coast and a region covering San Francisco and Monterey bays. In 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a landmark law that expands it into a statewide program.