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Good day,

BWBS is pleased to share our latest newsletter! Highlights include: 
a new resource to share (in multiple languages) on the impact of, and how to get involved in, responsible shipping; record industry participation as the program expands statewide; welcoming Nippon Express as our newest ambassador; and recent and upcoming events.

BWBS created the Responsible Shipping Playbook: How Companies Can Help Protect Whales and Clean Air In Your Supply Chain to help more companies understand how they can get involved, why prioritizing working with our industry-leading shipping lines matters, and why Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) is a simple but powerful way that all sectors of the maritime industry - including consumer brands who rely on ocean freight -  can meaningfully protect marine biodiversity and public health.

Now Available in Mandarin!

The Playbook is available in both Simplified Chinese (简体中文) and Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) in addition to English. Download and share to help us spread the word about the benefits of responsible shipping, and celebrate our participating shipping lines' exceptional efforts.

While the 2026 VSR Season started on April 22, on July 1, the VSR zone officially expanded statewide. BWBS is pleased to report that the program is on track for record participation this season, with 61 enrolled shipping and cruise operators—including 12 new participants—and strong early cooperation rates. During the first six weeks of the season, participating vessels achieved an 80% cooperation rate across the expanded zone and traveled more than 73,000 nautical miles at whale-safer speeds of 10 knots or less, highlighting the industry's genuine commitment to safer whales, cleaner air, and a quieter ocean. BWBS is deeply grateful to our shipping industry partners for their feedback, collaboration, and exceptional efforts.

We are thrilled to welcome Nippon Express, a global logistics company with a network that spans more than 50 countries as our newest ambassador!

About Nippon Express:

Since its founding, Nippon Express has employed its logistical strengths to connect people, businesses, and regions throughout the world while supporting social development. With an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental responsibility, the company continues to deliver innovative logistics solutions that advance society and enrich future generations.



Ambassador Program

Company ambassadors include entities that ship or work with participating shipping lines and help us celebrate industry efforts and grow awareness of the benefits of responsible shipping. Email becca@CaliforniaMSF.org for information.

BWBS continues to work with industry representatives, research organizations, and the San Francisco Bar Pilots to support implementation of AB14 and the expanded statewide program. On June 4, BWBS hosted its first virtual Technical Advisory Working Session for participating shipping lines, industry groups, and the broader maritime community. The session provided an overview of the scientific data on critical whale habitat and air quality calculations that informed the expanded VSR zone. 

The next Technical Session will be held this fall. We’ll be sending out a scheduling survey soon—stay tuned! If you are interested in receiving the prior session materials or have questions, email kelly@CaliforniaMSF.org.

Planning international transits and trying to understand where all the relevant whale protection measures exist? Keeping track of whale protection measures across different regions and jurisdictions can be challenging. Whale Atlas brings these measures together in one easy-to-use interactive platform, allowing users to explore vessel speed reduction zones, routing measures, reporting systems, and more from around the world. Whether you're a mariner, shipping company, researcher, or ocean enthusiast, Whale Atlas is a valuable resource for exploring the growing global effort toward whale-safer navigation.

Visit the Whale Atlas to discover whale protection measures around the world, and watch our quick tutorial video to learn how to make the most of its interactive features.

New updates! 
Please note, the Whale Atlas has been updated with zone information for: 

• The 2026 statewide CA VSR Zone. 
• Antarctica - which includes annual slow down zones approved by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Areas include S. Orkney Islands, Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, Gerlache Strait, and Marta Passage entering Crystal Sound.
• Previous updates also include the Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary ATBA in the Dominican Republic and the Corcovado Gulf-Moraleda Channel VSR zone in Chile.

A big thank you to the crews of CMA CGM, Maersk, and Carbon Shipping for contributing valuable whale sighting reports this year. 

As of today, 46 industry whale sightings have been submitted this year by shipping lines, helping researchers better understand whale distribution and supporting efforts to protect whales and promote safer navigation. Every sighting makes a difference!

Photo credit: Adam Ernster

Whales are not only charismatic and inspiring creatures, but incredibly important to the health of our oceans, air, and ourselves.

This latest inspiring story from the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation team explores how whales are climate champions, deep-sea habitat architects, and the drivers of a global nutrient cycle that keeps our atmosphere balanced and sustains the marine food web.

BWBS continued to build awareness of responsible shipping through presentations, conferences, and community events across North America and internationally. Partners presented at the European Cetacean Society–International Whaling Commission Workshop and Injured Sea Turned Rescue and Prevention Workshop in Taiwan and BWBS was represented at events including Santa Barbara Earth Day, the Women and Water Panel & Screening of Battle of the Blues, Ales for Whales with the California Ocean Alliance, Sustainable Brands Conference in San Diego, GreenTech with Green Marine in Canada, Trellis Impact Conference and during a the Pacific Transportation Association speaker event in San Francisco.

Maritime Transport and Whales: Building Blue Corridors Across the Eastern Pacific

May 18th, Mexico

Sustainable Brands 

June 6th - 8th, San Diego



Trellis Impact: Why Ocean Sound Matters for Biodiversity

June 24th, San Francisco

Injured Sea Turtle Rescue and Prevention Workshop

May 25th, Taiwan (Virtual)

Green Tech 2026

June 9th - 11th, Quebec City, Canada

Climate Imaginarium Exhibit 
June-July Exhibit, 
Governor's Island, New York City

Clean Air, Clean Solutions Showcase

August 3rd, Sacramento

See all the latest earned media and press releases here.

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is a collaborative effort by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Ventura County Air Pollution Control District; Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District; San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District; Monterey Bay Air Resources District; San Diego County Air Pollution Control District; Bay Area Air District; Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control Distrct; Channel Islands, Chumash Heritage, Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries; Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory; and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

A partnership for safer whales, cleaner air, and a quieter ocean.

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