Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Shipping line participants in BWBS range from companies with a handful of vessels to the largest shipping companies in the world.

Established in 2014, Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) helps ship operators and companies reduce the environmental impact of shipping along the coast of California. BWBS independently verifies cooperation rates, quantifies the benefits of participation, and provides recognition of program participants to encourage the adoption of more sustainable shipping practices. The program monitors

the speeds of hundreds of vessels that pass through Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones each year during the VSR season (designed to coincide with peak ozone and endangered whale feeding and migration periods), and engages the industry to slow down to reduce the risk of fatal ship strikes and impacts on coastal communities. Together they account for over 90% of all cargo traffic that passes through the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones. Ambassadors include consumer goods, brands, retailers, ports, and logistics companies committed to helping reduce ship strike risk to endangered whales, marine noise and air pollution, and regional greenhouse gas emissions. Companies that ship with one or more VSR participants are eligible.

06/18/2026

❓Why is *sound* so important for marine biodiversity? ❓How can companies be a part of the next frontier of ocean conservation?

✔️Sound is especially important for 🐋

💥Underwater noise pollution can disrupt how whales and marine mammals communicate, navigate, and find food, with cascading effects on marine biodiversity.

📍Next week at BWBS ambassador Sonos, and CA Marine Sanctuary Foundation, alongside leading researchers, will share why protecting the underwater soundscape is so important to protecting ocean health and biodiversity.

Attendees will leave with a clear picture of how companies can act (including with Blue Whales & Blue Skies), and will experience a demonstration of a thriving underwater soundscape 🎶🐋 thanks to John Ryan with MBARI MBARI

BWBS in 🇨🇦! Last week BWBS’ Danielle Alvarez attended the Conference by Green Marine in Quebec City. ✅We displayed a s...
06/16/2026

BWBS in 🇨🇦!

Last week BWBS’ Danielle Alvarez attended the Conference by Green Marine in Quebec City.

✅We displayed a scientific poster highlighting the program’s co-benefits around avoided air pollution, underwater noise pollution reduction, and ship strike risk reduction to whales off the California coast.

💚🚢 Thank you to for the opportunity to come together (in a beautiful location) to connect with industry, including some of our BWBS Ambassadors - STAX Engineering STAX Engineering and The Port of Hueneme Port of Hueneme !

06/08/2026

It’s World Oceans Day 🌊🌊🌊!

We wanted to take a minute to both highlight a critical area not many of us are lucky enough to know all that well, & to share a concrete way we can reimagine our relationship with the ocean.

🌊CMSF’s Matt Savoca just returned from the , and flagged the new vessel slowdown zone established there by the IAATO ! Here, he explains why this region is so important for whales & the health of our planet.

⚠️Like the BWBS VSR zone off California, this zone is intended to reduce one of the top threats to whales- ship strikes, as well as underwater radiated noise in one of the most important feeding grounds for whales on Earth.

➡️ This new zone is now updated in .marinesanctuaryfoundation ‘s Whale Atlas 🗺️- a Mariner’s Guide to Whale-Safer Shipping! Check it out here ⬇️

📍bluewhalesblueskies.org/resources/
antarcticpeninsula

06/05/2026

Next week BWBS will be at the Sustainable Brands conference in San Diego to talk whale safer shipping, why it matters 🐋🐳💨🌊, and how its much more straightforward than many companies think to prioritize whale (and clean air) safer shipping for their ocean freight imports or exports through California ports (where ~40% of good enter the US!)

Stop by our booth to learn more about our top performing shipping lines, company ambassadors, and a chance to win (thanks to and the store ) !

05/15/2026

Welcoming a new BWBS ambassador - !

“We are confident that collaboration between Sofar Ocean, , and the broader industry can accelerate the adoption of smarter sailing strategies in whale hotspots around the world.” 🐋🌎💙

> Founded in 2016 to make the ocean more predictable and sustainable, Sofar Ocean owns & operates the world’s largest private network of real-time ocean sensors — known as Spotters — turning billions of measurements into insights trusted by global shipping fleets, scientists, & governments.

> Their models assimilate Spotter network observations into marine weather forecasts, which are up to 50% more accurate than traditional models.

> Forecasts help power the Wayfinder Platform, which Captains and operators use to optimize for time, fuel, emissions, and .

➡️ read more: bluewhalesblueskies.org/stories/

We (+🐕) had an awesome time talking about yesterday at CA Ocean Alliance’s event in Santa Cruz! *Thank you* to and e...
05/03/2026

We (+🐕) had an awesome time talking about yesterday at CA Ocean Alliance’s event in Santa Cruz!

*Thank you* to and everyone who stopped by to chat and write thank you notes 💌 to the shipping lines that reduce their speeds off California for safer , cleaner air, and a quieter ocean. 🌊

05/02/2026

Dunker training!

There’s a lot that goes into understanding 🐋 🌊. Staff that participate in aerial surveys undergo safety training to ensure they prepared for anything while looking for whales.

04/30/2026

*Thank you* to everyone who joined us to:

🏆Celebrate the exemplary efforts of our participating shipping lines and ambassadors over the 2025 Season;

🗺️ Hear from industry leaders on responsible and (and from some whales thanks to John Ryan with MBARI !)

🌊 Honor Assemblymember Gregg Hart for his leadership and support of AB-14;

🐋🌏AND launch the 2026 Vessel Speed Reduction Season on !

✨📷: and 🎥🎤 thanks to Lauryn Cummins with

04/29/2026

BWBS is thrilled to welcome Thai Union’s North American companies !

🗞️: Thai Union Group PCL., including its companies Chicken of the Sea International, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, and US Pet Nutrition LLC., joined the BWBS Ambassador Program, underscoring a shared commitment to supporting more responsible practices along the U.S. West Coast.

🌊 “Protecting ocean ecosystems is integral to our role as a global and company. Partnering with Blue Whales and Blue Skies reflects our commitment to supporting responsible ocean shipping, protecting at-risk marine life, and reducing air and climate impacts, while continuing to serve our customers with reliability and helping ensure healthy oceans for generations to come.” – Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer

Thai Union has been a leader in the global seafood industry for nearly 50 years. With a portfolio of 21 brands and operations spanning the 🌏, the company is a global seafood leader and a longstanding focus on sustainability, innovation, and practices.

🔗 to read more: bluewhalesblueskies.org/news/

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