Assemblyman Gregg Hart, center, and environmental leaders celebrate the expansion of the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program on Tuesday at Santa Barbara's Sea Center, next to a replica of a whale.
Assemblyman Gregg Hart, center, and environmental leaders celebrate the expansion of the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program on Tuesday at Santa Barbara's Sea Center, next to a replica of a whale. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

The Santa Barbara program that protects endangered whales in the ocean and reduces emissions by slowing down tankers will now be seen across the state.   

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday that he signed Assemblyman Gregg Hart’s bill establishing the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program into law across the state.

Currently, 44 companies are involved in the program, a big increase from last year, according to Lyz Bantilan, public information officer for the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District. Involved companies voluntarily sign up for the program through an application process. 

“Our regional program has been really successful, and we’re excited that this legislation is making it a statewide program,” Bantilan said.

Hart celebrated the program’s expansion at the Sea Center on Tuesday, surrounded by environmental leaders and speaking next to a replica of a whale, the very animal the program is striving to keep safe. 

The state program is modeled after the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s program that started in 2014, and will move to other areas of the California coast, including San Diego and the North Coast.

The program’s goal is to have shipping companies that sail vessels of 300 gross tons in the ocean to voluntarily slow down to reduce the risk of fatally hitting whales, including the ones who migrate using the Santa Barbara Channel.

Ship companies enrolled in the program reduce ship speed in the water to 10 knots, approximately 11.5 miles per hour. The reduction of speed also contributes in reducing a ship’s greenhouse gas emissions and underwater sounds.

Reducing their speed lowers the risk of fatally hitting a whale by 50%, according to Bantilan.

Environmental leaders Aeron Arlin Genet, center left, and Linda Krop join the celebration of the expansion of the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program.
Environmental leaders Aeron Arlin Genet, center left, and Linda Krop join the celebration of the expansion of the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

Additionally, a lower speed reduces a ship’s smog forming nitrogen oxide emissions, decreasing the amount of air pollution billowing into coastal communities.

Areas in Northern and Southern California waters are designated as Vessel Speed Reduction zones from the beginning of May to the end of December to align with whale migration patterns. This year, the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program added a new zone — the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

“We can do it better than some of the programs in the East Coast where it is actually mandatory for ships to slow down,” said Alan Abbs, legislative officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

One of the companies already participating in the program is Sonos, an audio equipment company headquartered in Santa Barbara. Deji Olukotun, director of corporate responsibility, said joining the program was a “no-brainer.”

“When an organization like protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies shows up and says, ‘Hey we have a program that cuts the risk of fatal whale strikes, reduces carbon emissions and lowers underwater noise,’ you sign up,” he said at the Tuesday press conference.

Bantilan credits the rising participation rate to the positive public recognition that companies receive. 

“Shipping companies have heard about it because this program does a great job of celebrating the success of the companies that participate,” she said.

The program also disperses awards at the end of every season based on the company’s level of participation. The highest tier, the Sapphire tier, demonstrates that 85% to 100% of a company ship’s sailing distance in a Vessel Speed Reduction zone traveled at 10 knots or below. 

Hart said shipping companies are excited to have the BWBS seal of approval attached to their company name, showcasing dedication to the environment.

The state bill expanding the program includes financial incentives offered to companies, based on federal funding availability.

The regional program used to have financial incentives for companies to join but has since removed that component. Yet, the program continues to see a rise in participation, according to Bantilan. 

Rachel Rhodes, a project scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, hopes this program’s model can inspire similar efforts elsewhere — even worldwide.

“This gives me a lot of hope of what’s possible when science policy and industry work together towards a problem,” she said Tuesday.

Pricila Flores is a Noozhawk staff writer and California Local News Fellow. She can be reached at pflores@noozhawk.com.