Endangered Right Whale Calf Found Dead on Cape Cod

Photo: A North Atlantic right whale pictured at left was found dead off the coast of Cape Cod. (Credit: Center for Coastal Studies)

CHATHAM, MA — An endangered North Atlantic right whale calf was found dead on the Cape Cod coast Thursday.

The whale was found floating near Chatham.

A wildlife official told the Cape Cod Times it appeared a boat struck the whale.

Boat collisions are one of North Atlantic right whale's biggest threats. Its population currently numbers about 500.

Last month, state wildlife officials issued an alert to boaters to be on the lookout for whales feeding near the surface.

"Right whales are the most endangered large whale in the North Atlantic," according to the state Division of Marine Fisheries. "Vessel operators in this area are strongly urged to proceed with caution, reduce speed (less than 10 knots), and post lookouts to avoid (collisions)."

Federal law prohibit vessels from coming within 500 yards of right whales.

"Given their behavior and the proximity to vessel traffic, the situation presents a high risk of vessel collision to a sensitive and important segment of the right whale population," the fisheries division said.

"Vessel traffic is expected to increase in this area over the next few weeks with seasonal increases in recreational and commercial fishing, as well as whale watching, and passenger ship activity," the fisheries division said. "Massachusetts Environmental Police and U.S. Coast Guard are authorized to enforce the 500-yard rule."

The fisheries division shared this graphic of the most high-risk area for right whale vs. boat collisions: