Posts
Why the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area Opposes New Oil Drilling
The Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area exists to protect, celebrate, and educate thepublic about one of the most biologically rich marine ecosystems on our planet. This channel isnot just water between the mainland and the Channel Islands—it is a living corridor for whales,dolphins, seabirds, fisheries, and coastal communities that have depended on a healthy…
Celebrating Three Newly Named Whales
The Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (SBCWHA) is proud to announce a heartfelt contribution to marine science and conservation: the naming of three individually recognized whales—a blue whale, a gray whale, and a humpback whale—each honoring remarkable community leaders whose lives have been intertwined with our ocean. These gifts support the research and cataloging…
A Whale of a Gratitude: Celebrating Two Years as a Whale Heritage Area
As we reflect on our 2nd annual Whale of a Celebration, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. This special gathering is more than an event—it is a testament to the deep love, dedication, and community spirit that make the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area so vibrant. To all who attended, thank you for showing up…
Welcoming Luisa Hyatt as Interim Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area.
We are thrilled to share that Luisa Hyatt is stepping in as the new Interim Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. Luisa is an ocean woman through and through. With her husband Mark, she has spent decades building deep connections to the Santa Barbara Channel and its community. Together, they brought Paddle…
With Gratitude: Honoring Hiroko Benko’s Leadership
It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we share the news of Hiroko Benko’s resignation as Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. For the past four years, Hiroko has poured her heart, wisdom, and energy into helping our community achieve something truly remarkable: the global designation of the Santa Barbara Channel…
Are Blue Whales really going silent?
A recent publication entitled “Blue whales are going eerily silent—and scientists say it’s a warning sign”, gave insight into the mysterious lives of blue whales, and how warm water years like 2014’s “The Blob,” may affect their behavioral patterns and appearances. Overview & Findings Scientists have been using a long-term hydrophone system—essentially an underwater microphone…
A Young Humpback Whale’s Close Call: A Story of Action, Teamwork, and Ocean Passion
IF YOU SEE AN ENTANGLED WHALE OR MARINE MAMMAL, PLEASE CALL THE NOAA DISENTANGLEMENT HOTLINE AT 877-SOS-WHALE (877-767-9425) The public should report all sightings of entangled marine mammals so trained and authorized responders can safely respond. Equal parts heart-wrenching and hopeful, Island Packers’ first summer whale watching excursion aboard Island Explorer on June 19, 2025 turned…
The Power of Whale Watching: Inspiring the Next Generation of Ocean Stewards
The Santa Barbara Channel is one of the most biologically rich and ecologically significant marine environments in the world. Designated as a Whale Heritage Area in 2023, this vibrant stretch of ocean is home to diverse marine wildlife, including many species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. While books, documentaries, and classroom…
The Struggle of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whales
Understanding Their Decline and the Role of Science in Their Survival Each January, Eastern Pacific gray whales are welcomed seasonal visitors, migrating down the coast of North America from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to their winter breeding/birthing grounds along the coast of Baja Mexico. After a month or two in the warmer…
‘BATTLE of the BLUES’
A New Film Co-Sponsored by SBCWHA Is Screening Feb 6th & 7th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Battle of the Blues is a 25-minute narrative film that highlights the population of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) that reside off the US west coast, specifically in Southern California. As the largest animal the world has…
WHALE OF APPRECIATION
January 2025 We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone: the designation of the Santa Barbara Channel as the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the world! This prestigious recognition, awarded by the World Cetacean Alliance and World Animal Protection, underscores our region’s commitment to sustainable tourism, marine conservation, and the deep cultural connection we share…
Iconic Encounters in the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area.
Killer Whale Sightings Featuring California’s Famous Orca, Frosty January 2025 Every so often whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (SBCWHA) presents a moment so extraordinary that it stays with you forever. Such has been the case over the past month for four different whale watching companies and hundreds of enthusiastic whale…