Shipping Lanes Changed to Protect Endangered Whales

Shipping lanes are being pushed further out to sea off the coast of California, as part of an effort to protect endangered whales.

The change is meant to protect endangered whales, like a young Fin whale that died from injuries from a ship strike and washed ashore in Malibu earlier this month.

The Fin whale, which caused a stink and was ultimately towed out to sea thanks to the efforts of Malibu residents, had a broken back, according to the California Wildlife Center.

"Every whale in a small population counts, every whale lost makes a big difference," Sean Hastings, NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, told Santa Barbara-based KEYT.com.

A southbound lane in the Santa Barbara Channel will be shifted a mile north, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The plan applies to shipping lanes approaching the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Francisco Bay. The changes go into effect in 2013, NOAA reported.

The changes were brought about by the efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard. The plan has the support of the shipping industry, according to NOAA.