California vessels getting paid to save the whales

[LOS ANGELES] The massive containerships passing through the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of Southern California will be paid a bonus of US$2,500 per trip to slow down, in an effort to cut off-shore air pollution and reduce collisions with whales.

The four-month pilot programme, which started in July, is run by federal and local officials and an environmental group.

Last week, a dead fin whale washed up at the beach and harbour city of Port Hueneme, south of Santa Barbara.