Zoo Joins Ocean Conservation Effort to Advance Responsible Shipping for Whales and Air Quality off Our California Coast
In honor of World Ocean Day, the Santa Barbara Zoo announced that the Zoo has joined the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program as an ambassador, underscoring the Zoo’s commitment to global wildlife conservation efforts by supporting more responsible shipping practices that reduce one of the top risks whales face globally – ship strikes.
The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program (BWBS) is a partnership between government agencies, foundations, research partners and environmental NGOs working to make our skies cleaner, and the ocean quieter and safer for whales. BWBS collaborates with many of the global ship operators to reduce strike risk, particularly for the endangered blue, fin, and humpback whales that migrate up and down California’s coast. It’s estimated that approximately 80 endangered whales are fatally struck by vessels each year off the U.S. West Coast, though the exact number is unknown. By encouraging and independently verifying shipping lines’ voluntary cooperation with Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) in areas of critical whale habitat, participating vessels reduce the risk of ship strikes by approximately 40%. VSR also reduces a significant source of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties’ air pollution (from maritime trade), and underwater noise pollution, which can interfere with whales’ ability to forage, communicate, hunt, and navigate. …