Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is a partnership between government agencies, foundations, research partners and environmental NGOs working to make our skies cleaner, and the ocean quieter and safer for whales. Since launching in 2014, BWBS has worked with more than 50 global cargo shipping lines to incentivize vessel speed reduction to 10 knots or less in key whale habitats.

We accomplish this by:

• Monitoring the speeds of vessels 300 GT (gross tons) and larger that pass through voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction ("VSR") zones each year where ships are encouraged to reduce speeds.
• Providing recognition to participating shipping companies with high cooperation rates for whale safer transits; and
• Working with ambassadors (brands and companies that import or export via ocean freight) to demonstrate demand for, and appreciation to shipping companies leading the way on responsible practices.