California cargo ships to slow for whales under new program

[yuiyoshida]

LOS ANGELES – The massive container ships passing through the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of Southern California will be paid a bonus of $2,500 per trip to slow down, in an effort to cut off-shore air pollution and reduce collisions with whales.

The four-month pilot program started in July, run by federal and local officials and an environmental group. It comes as the season for whales in the channel peaks.

Last week, a dead fin whale washed up at the beach and harbor city of Port Hueneme, south of Santa Barbara.

“Slowing down ships is a good thing for air pollution, endangered species protection and human health,” said Kristi Birney, marine conservation analyst with the Environmental Defense Center based in Santa Barbara.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/08/world/california-cargo-ships-to-slow-for-whales-under-new-program/#.U-SvLKPNvMo

[antiquie]

1. Thank you for a bit of good news.

[JayhawkSD]

2. That is encouraging.

Since the payment does not fully cover the cost of slowing down, this amounts to government and business working together to make solutions work. This is how we should be solving problems.

[petronius]

3. Good, I hope it helps. Nice to see a collaborative effort on this.

I saw an article a few weeks ago--not sure if it was posted here--that described the distribution of blue whales out in the channel. It seems that they cluster in some specific spots for feeding, which I think was a surprise...

[flamingdem]

4. Good!

Finally paying attention to our precious buddies.