Record 60 Shipping Lines Take Part in Slowdown Program Reduced Tanker Speeds Through Santa Barbara Channel Saves Whales Lives

Fin whales are the second largest animal on Earth and are considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act, which is why protests broke out when a pregnant fin whale was dragged to port by a massive cruise ship in Seward, Alaska, just last month. Seward residents gathered at the port on July 3, carrying signs that read “protect our whales,” and “10 knots or less = whale success,” protesting ships going above safe speeds, and hosting a memorial for the fin whale that was struck. Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies, or BWBS, is a program in California aimed at reducing ship speeds for whale safety and to lower air pollution. Through a partnership with government agencies, foundations, research partners, and environmental nonprofits, BWBS is trying to prevent strikes like the one in Seward from happening.