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Cargo ships will be paid $2500 per trip to slow down to protect whales and lower pollution off California coast. 

According to the program, that aims to lower air pollution and protect whales, shipping firms will be paid for each low-speed trip completed at 12 knots. Generally, ships cruises at the speed varying between 14 knots to 18 knots. 

"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, marine conservation analyst for the Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center, one of the backers of the initiative, in a statement. 

The program stands valid for ships traveling through the Santa Barbara Channel. 

In the trial program, six global companies will participate and 15 low-speeds trips via the Santa Barbara Channel will be paid. The period of the program is from July 2014 to end of Oct. 2014. The period overlaps the peak season of blue whale feeding the area. 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is administering the initiative.