Shipping companies agree to go slow in bid to save endangered whales

Environmentalists say a pilot programme in one of America’s most precious natural locations could save the lives of endangered whales for generations to come. Campaigners have persuaded six global shipping companies to slow their vessels as they pass through the Santa Barbara Channel off the California coast. They say reducing the speed of giant ships to 12 knots or less, from their usual speed of 14 to 16 knots, cuts the chances of whales falling victim to ‘ship strikes’.

I think it is really good, I think it is funny that rewarding the ships rather than just saying please. I think it is really is really good that it is working.

Kristi Birney, of the Environmental Defense Center

Dave Van Mullem, director of Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, said: “If we can get several million dollars, then we would be able to expand the programme and then we would get the gains we are really looking for, for air quality and public health, not only public health vegetation, not only the vegetation but as you saw today, the marine environment.” The Vessel Speed Reduction programme adds four hours to journeys through the channel which shipping lines say increases its costs.

Whales are negatively buoyant so if they’re struck they sink they don’t always wash ashore and so as we try to grapple with the challenge, we recognise that we have whales and ships in the same area and we’re trying to reduce when they use the same places.

Kristi Birney, of the Environmental Defense Center