Nuzzling the shoreline with the curiosity and daring that made its ancestors easy prey for whalers, a young right whale is swimming slowly northward along the East Coast toward Martha’s Vineyard.
The sudden reappearance of a whale long driven from Vineyard waters might seem like a win for nature, but those studying the return note that the phenomenon may be an indicator of more struggles for the species.
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale registered another grim milestone this week, with a new estimate showing further declines in its population. A report Monday said a census found just 336 whales left.
A group of Nantucket residents filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Management and others, claiming federal officials did not adequately consider the adverse effects on the North Atlantic Right whale and other marine life.
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are increasing their presence in waters south of Martha’s Vineyard, according to a recent study, including large swaths of ocean slated for wind energy development.
