Whale Conservation
National marine sanctuaries off the coast of California are destination feeding areas for whales, including endangered and threatened populations of blue, fin, and humpback whales. Though protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), whales are vulnerable to human impacts including entanglement in lost gear, vessel strikes, ocean noise, and feeding disturbance impacts.
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries builds partnerships with the maritime transportation industry, fisheries, scientists, academia, conservation groups, and other governmental agencies to reduce human impacts to whales. Current sanctuary programs that aim to reduce threats to whales include efforts to slow vessels down, reduce or eliminate entanglements, and conduct public outreach to promote responsible whale watching guidelines for boat operators and ocean users.
Vessel Strikes
Whale injuries and deaths from vessel collisions, or ship strikes, are a significant challenge to whale conservation worldwide. Fatal strikes on whales, including endangered species, is an ongoing issue. Of all the large whale species that inhabit the West Coast, the blue, fin, humpback, and gray whales are the most vulnerable to vessel strikes because they migrate along the coastline. Many use areas along the coast for feeding, which overlaps with heavy shipping traffic.
Voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction in National Marine Sanctuaries
NOAA, with support from the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency, annually issues voluntary vessel speed reduction (VSR) requests that go into effect May 1 to December 15 off San Francisco, Monterey, and Southern California. The goal of these seasonal voluntary VSR zones is to reduce the risk of fatal ship strikes to large whales, reduce ocean noise, and protect public health within and near Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, Monterey Bay, and Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries. Whale species are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and some under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1538 et seq.). Any unauthorized take of whales, even if unintentional, by vessels transiting in U.S. waters violates federal statutes. NOAA encourages vessel crews to report whale sightings through the Ocean Alert app for smartphones.
In 2023, the northern VSR zone was expanded throughout Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the Southern California VSR zone was expanded to include recent International Maritime Organization modifications to the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme and Area To Be Avoided.
Some global shipping companies have recognized the need to help ensure a safer environment for whales off the California coast by voluntarily reducing speeds through the areas where whales are most likely to be. Reducing speed not only helps protect whales, but also helps reduce air pollution and ocean noise, benefiting humans and the environment. The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program is a collaborative effort by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, California air pollution control districts, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and other nonprofit organizations that incentivizes global shipping companies to voluntary slow speeds in and around national marine sanctuaries.
The NOAA, U.S. Coast Guard, and Environmental Protection Agency request that all vessels 300 gross tons or larger reduce speeds to 10 knots when transiting within the designated VSR zones to protect the health of communities living near these zones, and whales that annually migrate to and through these zones. All transits by vessels 300 gross register tonnage or larger are analyzed by NOAA via automatic information system data provided by the Coast Guard to assess the industry’s cooperation.
Sanctuary staff analyze the automatic information system data on an annual basis to evaluate compliance by cargo vessels and tankers with the International Maritime Organization recommended vessel tracks [LINK TO IN MAPS 1.5] in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and publish results in Field Reports. Visit the Benioff Ocean Institute's Whale Safe web platform for near real-time whale and ship data for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Entanglement
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff partner with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, coordinated by NOAA Fisheries, to respond to large whale entanglements. Staff and vessel crew are trained to support disentanglement efforts of marine mammals in the sanctuary. Information about recorded whale entanglement incidents along the U.S. West Coast is available from NOAA Fisheries West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program, including annual reports.
Who May Disentangle Whales?
Only members of a NOAA-authorized response team may attempt whale disentanglement.
To report entangled marine mammals or sea turtles, immediately contact:
- For whales, dolphins: Entanglement Reporting Hotline: 1-877-SOS-WHALE or 1-877-767-9425 The U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Ch. 16
- To report entangled pinnipeds or sea turtles: Contact The Marine Mammal Center - 1-415 289-SEAL (1-415-289-7325)
Whale rescue is complex and dangerous for the rescuers as well as the whale. Unauthorized rescue attempts can result in failed efforts, can further injure the whale, and may even thwart the NOAA team's efforts. If an injury occurs to anyone during a rescue attempt, the entire NOAA response program will be shut down. Do not attempt to disentangle a whale yourself. NOAA teams all along the coast are appropriately trained, experienced, and equipped for marine mammal disentanglement. Instead, learn how you can help.
