Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo
HYANNIS – A carcass spotted off Martha’s Vineyard is believed to be that of a North Atlantic right whale.
Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and International Fund for Animal Welfare are taking part in the investigation.
A spokesperson for NOAA said the remains were most recently spotted by a Coast Guard vessel in the area.
It would be the second known right whale death this year.
Last year, at least 17 of the endangered species were found dead, with most located in Canadian waters.
Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown said it would be devastating news to the species if another whale has died.
“It just adds yet more pressure for all of us in terms of fear about the future of the population.
He said the photos he’s seen of the remains lead him to believe it’s a right whale.
There was no evidence of any calves born the season among the species.
It’s estimated that there are only 450 right whales left in the world.
Also on Tuesday, officials from NOAA and IFAW were responding a dead minke whale found on Sandy Neck Beach in West Barnstable.
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