NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary presented a Whale Veil award to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District on June 24 in recognition of the district’s support for the voluntary Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program.

Sean Hastings, policy information and management officer for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, toured the program’s achievements and presented the board with a commemorative Whale Veil award. Hastings said the vessel speed reduction program has produced measurable outcomes: he cited a roughly 50% reduction in ship strikes on endangered large whale species where the program operates and noted reductions in regional air emissions and underwater noise.

Why it matters: The program is voluntary and encourages participating vessels to slow to 10 knots or less within designated vessel speed reduction zones during the season; the district’s participation helps support habitat protections and emissions reductions along the coast.

Sanctuary remarks and program scope: Hastings said the program has covered nearly half of the California coastline and is expanding; NOAA and sanctuary partners intend to close remaining gaps and explore extension of protections farther north and south to align with shared shipping routes and whale movements.

Board response: Board members thanked the sanctuary and district staff for their work. The board planned to adjourn and take a photograph with the presenter following the meeting.

Ending: The award ceremony concluded the board’s June 24 meeting; staff noted ongoing collaboration with sanctuary and industry partners to sustain and expand vessel speed reduction and related air‑quality benefits.