Every year, the world's largest container ships make thousands of transits along the California coast, with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach alone often handling 40% of the total containerized imports to the United States. This maritime trade is essential, but not without impacts including biodiversity loss and pollution. For context, off the West Coast, an estimated 80 endangered whales per year are fatally struck by ships. This problem is only expected to amplify with global ocean traffic anticipated to rise 240% by 2050. In response to this growing issue, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation coordinates ongoing regional efforts to promote sustainable shipping by reducing the risk of ship-strikes on endangered whales through the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS). BWBS is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Program along the coast of California that help the world’s largest container ships and the companies that rely on them reduce: lethal ship strikes on endangered whales, underwater noise, regional greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution. By creating seasonal and predictable slow speed zones, this program helps companies reduce supply chain climate, pollution and biodiversity impacts. BWBS leverages innovative science and technology partnerships to independently verify cooperation rates of shipping line participants, quantify the benefits of participation, and provide recognition of program participants to encourage the adoption of sustainable shipping practices across the globe, and expand consumer awareness about the supply chain implications of the products they buy.
Speakers
Sean Hastings, Founder of the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program
Policy, Information and Management Officer, NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Sean is the Policy, Information and Management Officer for NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and founded the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program to increase sustainable shipping practices along California’s coast. For CINMS, he serves as the resource protection coordinator and is responsible for addressing industrial, military, commercial and recreational uses and impacts in the sanctuary. Sean helped to create the marine protected area network and helped California do the same in mainland state waters. Sean has lectured at UCSB on Ocean and Coastal Policy and Management for 10 years and has a Master’s of Marine Affairs.
Edgar Gutierrez, VP of Farming Operations, Limoneira Company
Edgar Gutierrez is the VP of Farming Operations for the Limoneira Company. There, he is responsible for leading all farming operations of the company globally (USA, Chile, Argentina) and overseeing all citrus varieties, avocados, and wine grapes across 15,000 acres. His work includes research and implementation of better agricultural practices to maximize the use of water, and increase biological activity inside the orchards via compost, biological corridors, and Algae production to minimize chemical inputs and increase soil microbiota. Edgar also leads implementing technology platforms to manage farm data, operate irrigation systems, prediction of harvest volumes, and visualization of all farms at a large scale via Fruit Spec, AgWorld, Phytec, WiseConn, and See Tree. Edgar was born and raised in Costa Rica, grew up on a Dairy Farm in the northern part of the US, and has a BS in Agricultural Sciences from Earth University in Costa Rica.
Molly Morse, Senior Manager, Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, UCSB
As Senior Manager of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at UCSB, Molly leads a wide portfolio of applied marine conservation and technology projects and manages the lab's external partnerships. Benioff Oceans leverages marine science and technology to develop applied solutions for ocean health. As a partner of the Blue Whales Blue Skies program, Benioff Oceans and its Whale Safe program provide frequent, high resolution data on vessel compliance with voluntary speed reduction zones to empower companies with the data they need to protect whales. Molly has a Master's in marine science and 10 years of experience in marine resource management and conservation.
Deji Olukoton, Director, Sustainability & Impact
Deji Bryce Olukotun is the Director of Sustainability & Impact at Sonos, responsible for overseeing sustainability, the Sonos Foundation, and corporate policy. Prior to Sonos, Deji worked at the digital rights organization Access Now, where he drove campaigns on fighting internet shutdowns, cybersecurity, and online censorship. Before that, he fought for free expression and the defense of writers around the world at PEN American Center with support from the Ford Foundation. Deji is a Future Tense Fellow at the New America Foundation where he explores the intersection of science, fiction, and policy. He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, a BA from Yale University, and dual masters degrees in Creative Writing and Justice & Transformation from the University of Cape Town, where he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. He is the author of two novels and his fiction has appeared in many different book collections. His science fiction appeared in 2020’s Best Science Fiction & Fantasy, edited by Outlander creator Diana Galbadon.
Giles Pettifor, Environmental Manager, Port of Hueneme
Giles Pettifor is the Environmental Manager for the Port of Hueneme, the only deepwater commercial seaport between Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he is responsible for overseeing the Port's sustainability programs and all efforts related to decarbonization, green energy planning, sea level rise and climate change adaptation, water quality, air quality, soil and sediment quality, and marine resources.
Becca Tucker (Moderator), Director of Corporate Engagement, Blue Whales Blue Skies
As Director of Corporate Engagement Director for the Blue Whales Blue Skies Program, Becca advances the Corporate Ambassador effort to engage more companies on responsible shipping efforts with our enrolled carriers. Becca has more than a decade of business development experience with a particular focus on renewable energy, and corporate environmental management. Prior to BWBS, Becca served as co-chair of the Environmental Social Governance group, and Dir. of Business Development for Natural Resources at a national law firm. Becca is passionate about advancing environmental and social responsibility in the business world, and helping companies respond to demand for action around climate and sustainability.