20% Of World's Right Whales Gathered Off New England Coast In Unusual Spot

CBS Boston

Updated on: January 17, 2025 / 8:50 AM EST

BOSTON - About 75 North Atlantic right whales, representing about 20% of the critically endangered species' population worldwide, have gathered in an area off the coast of New England.

An aerial survey team from the New England Aquarium spotted the whales this week along a 10-mile stretch off the western edge of Jeffreys Ledge. That's an underwater area not far away from Cape Ann, New Hampshire and southern Maine, where right whales have been known to gather previously, but in smaller numbers.

Federal authorities are directing boaters to slow down or avoid the area altogether.

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