Sean Hastings – Protecting Blue Whales and Blues Skies

In Making Waves Conversations by Mark Sylvester
 / 
08/25/2021

Protecting Blue Whales and Blues Skies

Every year, container ships and auto carriers make thousands of transits in the shipping lanes in the Santa Barbara Channel region and along the California coast. These vessels are a significant source of air pollution and ship strikes on endangered blue, humpback, and fin whales. The Vessel Speed Reduction incentive program is a voluntary program that requests vessel operators to slow down to 10 knots or less, which reduces air pollution, fatal strikes on endangered whales, and ocean noise.

The program is a partnership between Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Air Pollution Control Districts, NOAA’s Channel Islands, Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and other partners. The voluntary incentive program starts on May 15. It ends on November 15 to overlap the seasonal migration of the great whales to California waters and when ground-level ozone (smog) concentrations are typically high. Incentives include modest financial awards and an extensive positive public recognition campaign.  In its 7th year, the program continues to expand, with 18 global shipping companies enrolled.  New directions include engaging Corporate America to support sustainable shipping.

Sean Hastings

Policy, Management and Information Officer, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Sean joined Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in 1997 and serves as the site's resource protection coordinator. He is responsible for developing policies and programs to address industrial, military, commercial, and recreational uses and impacts in and around the sanctuary. He also handles emergency response, enforcement, permits, community relations and is a liaison to the media. In addition, Sean helped create the marine protected area network to restore local fish and invertebrate populations and habitats in the sanctuary and helped the state of California to do the same in state waters on the mainland.

Daily he strives to raise the sanctuary's profile locally, nationally, and internationally through astute communication, media, and negotiation skills.  He has forged trusted partnerships with academia, government agencies, non-government organizations, and sanctuary user groups. Sean has a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the School of Marine Affairs, University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 1998 he was nominated as a presidential management fellow. Sean is an avid outdoorsman who surfs, boats, paddles, scuba and free dives, fishes, hunts, skis, and snowboards throughout California's wildlands. With a multi-agency coalition and community support, he has helped move commercial shipping lanes to protect endangered whales.


More Resources

Upcoming Salon Conversations

Image

Amy Zolotow – Humanizing AI Through Storymaking in Healthcare

Apr 3, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
In this conversation, we examine the role of narrative in the humanization of AI technology with Amy, a leader in operations with over ten years of experience in healthcare.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
Image

Ekta Vyas – Reciprocate to Transform: The Power of Collective Organizational Consciousness

Apr 17, 2024 4:00 PM Pacific Time
In the wake of the pandemic, social justice movements, and the turmoil our world has faced in recent years, Dr. Vyas will explore the reactive nature of most business transformations and advocate for a proactive approach.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
Image

Jim Sterne – Changing Your Mind about Computing: Generative AI as a Creativity Power tool.

May 1, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
Discover the transformative power of Generative AI, heralding the most significant leap in technology since the introduction of the Internet. Join us for an enlightening session that promises to expand your horizons and redefine what’s possible in the digital age.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
Image

Dominique Shelton Leipzig – In the Age of AI, Trust is Key: Practicing Responsible Data Stewardship

May 15, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
Humans control AI, not the other way around. By following the frameworks outlined in global legislation, we can take advantage of the opportunities while minimizing the risks.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk
Image

Brian Reisinger – Disappearing Farms, Disappearing Food: How to Save America’s Food Supply

Aug 21, 2024 04:00 PM in Pacific Time
Over four decades ago, America made an unconscious choice: We let our technological innovation leave many of our family farms behind. Today the disappearance of the American farmer endangers our food supply, but there’s a better way.
Speaker bio & Register for this talk