Vessel Strikes

aerial view of a container ship in open water
Container ship heads to the Port of Los Angeles using the southbound shipping lane that passes through Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jess Morten

Goal: Reduce the Risk of Fatal Ship Strikes on Endangered Whales

Voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction

Map depicting the Voluntary vessel speed reduction zone in California
Voluntary vessel speed reduction zones off California 2026. Image: NOAA

In 2026, the voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zone was expanded statewide.

All vessels 300 gross tons (GT) or larger are requested to voluntarily reduce speeds to 10 knots when transiting within the VSR zone to protect the health of communities living near these zones, and whales that annually migrate to California waters. All transits by vessels 300 GRT or larger are analyzed by NOAA via Automatic Information System (AIS) data provided by USCG to assess the industry's cooperation.

We encourage vessel crews to report whale sightings through the Whale Alert App.

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Incentive-Based Vessel Speed Reduction Program

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program (BWBS) is a coalition of government agencies, non-profit organizations, shipping industry and cargo owners working together to reduce air pollution, ocean noise and ship strikes on endangered whales . Container, car carriers, tankers, bulk carriers and cruise lines are eligible to enroll in BWBS. Shipping companies that cooperate at a high level in the VSR zones are acknowledged with positive public relation incentives, including media and an award ceremony.

For more information please visit Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District's Marine Shipping Initiative's websites for additional program details.

Please also visit the Benioff Ocean Institute's Whale Safe web platform for near real-time whale and ship data for the Santa Barbara Channel.

Sanctuary Advisory Council Reports