North Atlantic Right Whale Found Dead off Martha’s Vineyard

Photo: Dave Peros

YARMOUTH PORT – The number of endangered North Atlantic Right Whales that have died in 2017 continues to grow.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a dead whale was found on Monday on Nashawena Island.

That’s near the southern tip of the Elizabeth Island chain off Martha’s Vineyard.

According to a social media post, even though the whale was decomposed, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were trying to determine a cause of death.

This is at least the 16^th confirmed mortality of a North Atlantic Right Whale this year. There have been only five confirmed births.

A conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia took place this past weekend with U.S. and Canadian researchers looking into the high mortality rates this year.

The entire worldwide population of the right whale is believed to be under 500. Cape Cod Bay is home to the right whale for several months each year.