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APCD highlights Blue Whales and Blue Skies expansion under AB14; program reports large emissions and strike‑risk reductions
Summary
The district reported that the voluntary Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies vessel speed reduction program expanded statewide under Assembly Bill 14; 2025 participation included 787 vessels across 44 shipping lines, with reported reductions in ship‑strike risk and almost 1,500 tons of NOx avoided.
Santa Barbara County APCD staff updated the board on the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program, a voluntary vessel speed reduction partnership that asks shipping companies to slow to 10 knots or less in designated zones to reduce whale strike risk, underwater noise and ozone‑forming emissions.
Planning Division Manager Alex (as introduced in the record) reviewed program history and reported that what began as a small pilot in 2014 has grown substantially: in 2025 the program reported participation by 787 vessels across 44 shipping lines and more than 481,000 slow‑speed nautical miles. Staff said participating companies reduced ship‑strike risk by 40% and reduced smog‑forming NOx emissions by nearly 1,500 tons in 2025 compared to baseline conditions. The presentation framed the NOx reduction as roughly equivalent to converting 900,000 passenger vehicles to zero emission for a single year (a program comparison offered by staff).
Staff noted that the district was one of the program co‑sponsors of Assembly Bill 14, which was signed into law to authorize statewide expansion; the 2026 season launched April 22 with an expanded statewide slow‑speed zone and, to ease transition, a transitional performance evaluation period running through June 30. The 2026 season introduced a Star Sapphire award for cooperation rates above 90% and invited cruise lines to participate; staff said 60 shipping companies had enrolled to date.
Alex described outreach, industry collaboration and technical work: the district organized coastal air district working groups, engaged with CARB and industry trade groups, and hosted technical advisory sessions on the statewide zone and emissions analyses. Partners noted the program’s ancillary benefits for reducing underwater noise and other sound‑sensitive species, in addition to whales.
The board thanked staff and discussed opportunities to expand outreach (including ideas to partner with national marine sanctuaries for local recognition). No public comment was received on the item.
