Where are the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Zones
Along the California coast, ships transiting at 10 knots or less in the voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction zones are reducing fatal whale strikes and cutting harmful emissions. Learn more about them.
Photo: Ralph Clevenger Wildlife
Photo: Jess Morten/NOAA
What is a VSR Zone?
VSR stands for Vessel Speed Reduction. VSR zones are a protection measure implemented to mitigate the impacts that vessel traffic pose to marine life, coastal communities, and the environment. VSR zones are found all over the world to help reduce the risk of ship strike for whales. In California, the VSR zones focus on the conservation of endangered blue, fin, and humpback whales, whose critical habitats overlap with shipping routes going to and from several major ports.
2025 VSR Zones
The VSR zones include the southern and central California coast, including the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. By verifying cooperation with VSR requests, calculating environmental benefits associated with reduced speeds, and recognizing participants, BWBS supports shipping companies in maintaining commerce in a more sustainable way.
VSR Zone 1: San Francisco and Monterey Bay
The San Francisco and Monterey Bay VSR zone includes the Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. This zone targets vessel traffic going to and from the Bay Area, including Port of San Francisco and Port of Oakland, as well as transits made along the California Coast.
VSR Zone 2: Southern California Region
The Southern California VSR zone includes the newly established Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary as well as an area to the south that encompasses the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, the Santa Barbara Channel, and the waters off of Los Angeles County and Orange County. This zone covers the vessel traffic that goes in and out of the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Hueneme, as well as transits along the California Coast.
Download The VSR Zones Map
Citizen Science: Tracking Whales Along Our Coast
Many of our shipping lines contribute to citizen science by recording whales they see along their shipping routes. The interactive map below visualizes whale sightings by company and species. Click on any point for more information.
Photo: Dustin Harris
Featured Resource:
Whale Atlas
Go-to resource so mariners can quickly understand where whale protection measures exist across our global oceans and how to make operational and logistical adjustments to help protect marine biodiversity.
Photo: Elainne Dipp
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers for those who may be interested in our VSR efforts.
Take The Next Step
Shipping companies who would like to participate in this conservation effort, can enroll their fleet at any point during the VSR Season.
Photo: Jess Morten ©2016 NOAA