Ships Agree To Go Slow In Bid To Save Whales

Environmentalists say a pilot programme in one of America's most precious natural locations could save the lives of endangered whales for generations to come.

Campaigners have persuaded six global shipping companies to slow their vessels as they pass through the Santa Barbara Channel off the California coast.

They say reducing the speed of giant ships to 12 knots or less, from their usual speed of 14 to 16 knots, cuts the chances of whales falling victim to 'ship strikes'.

The companies are paid $2,500 (£1,500) for each ship that slows down - and turning the trial permanent depends on raising millions of dollars.

The channel is unusual for being a national park and a national marine sanctuary. It is also a highway into two of the busiest ports in the world, at Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Kristi Birney, of the Environmental Defense Center, says few people realise that ships moving at faster speeds are a risk to whales.

She told Sky News: "In 2007, we really became aware of this issue, we had five confirmed ship strikes on whales in our channel in three weeks. Scientists estimate that there is actually 10 times the number of whales hit than actually are found.

"Whales are negatively buoyant so if they're struck they sink they don't always wash ashore and so as we try to grapple with the challenge, we recognise that we have whales and ships in the same area and we're trying to reduce when they use the same places."

On a whale-watching tour off Santa Barbara, the pilot scheme was welcomed by tourists.

Ellis de Haan from the Netherlands said: "I think it is really good, I think it is funny that rewarding the ships rather than just saying please. I think it is really is really good that it is working."

And Laurie Reyon Anderson said: "People are waking up and becoming more conscious of these creatures, it is not an issue for dolphins, but for whales moving much slower and not having the same sonar ability, I think we have to take care."

The pilot has had a beneficial impact for humans in an area which regularly fails to meet state air quality standards. Ships contribute half of air pollution.

Dave Van Mullem, director of Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, said: "If we can get several million dollars, then we would be able to expand the programme and then we would get the gains we are really looking for, for air quality and public health, not only public health vegetation, not only the vegetation but as you saw today, the marine environment."

The Vessel Speed Reduction programme adds four hours to journeys through the channel which shipping lines say increases its costs.

Environmentalists are hoping to secure future funding to extend the project.