A survey flight crew spotted at least 31 of the rare whales in a fishing ground about 100 miles southeast of Portland during flights this week. The National Marine Fisheries Service issued the warning Thursday. Officials said one whale spotted Tuesday around Cashes Ledge was tangled in lines. A disentanglement team was on alert in case the whale was spotted again. Scientists estimate only about 300 right whales remain in the Northern Atlantic.
Regulators say fishing gear and ship strikes are the leading human threats to their survival.
The fisheries service is urging fishermen to remove their gear or use as little gear as they can in the area for at least the next 10 days. All rights reserved.