California wildlife officials are working to reduce pollution and protect whales off the southern coast by paying shippers to move their vessels more slowly through the Santa Barbara Channel.

If they travel at a speed of 12 knots or slower, shippers going along a 130-mile stretch from Point Conception to the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex, the Los Angeles Times reported. Shippers usually travel at a speed between 14 and 18 knots; for the slower trip, they will be given a $2,500 incentive. 

"It's a very simple but clever solution: When you slow ships down you provide whale conservation and cleaner air for us to breathe here on shore," said Kristi Birney, a marine conservation analyst for the Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center, as quoted by the L.A. Times.

The voluntary initiative comprises 16 slower-speed trips through the Santa Barbara Channel that will be paid for by the program. Six international shippers are participating in the initial trial effort, which is the latest attempt to protect local whales.

Dozens of blue, humpback and fin whales have been killed in the last 10 to 15 years after being hit by ships, posing a threat to the endangered species' recovery.

The program, which takes place from July through October, is concurrent with the peak season for blue whale feeding in the channel. The period is also when Southern California has its highest concentrations of ozone for the year.

Participating in the program, which is funded by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the Santa Barbara Foundation and administered by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, adds around four hours to a shipper's journey.

However, the incentives "don't really come close to covering the additional cost or risk that they're incurring by slowing down," said T.L. Garrett, vice president of industry group the Pacific Merchant Shipping Assn., as quoted by L.A. Times. "They're doing it because they're trying to exhaust all measures possible to both enhance protection of whales in the Santa Barbara Channel and to improve air quality."

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