A right whale has been found off the coast of New England in a devastating year for the endangered species

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A North Atlantic right whale has stranded in New England, worsening an already devastating year for the endangered animals, federal authorities said.

Right whales number less than 360 and are vulnerable to fishing gear and ship collisions. The alien whale was spotted Tuesday about 50 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

The whale had ropes sticking out of both sides of its mouth and was far from shore, making it difficult for rescuers to help, NOAA said in a statement.

“Given the long distance from shore, experts were unable to safely travel to the whale's last known location during daylight hours to attempt a rescue,” the statement said. “NOAA Fisheries and our partners are monitoring this whale and will attempt to respond to the stranding if possible, weather and safety conditions allow.”

Several right whales have died this year in Georgia and Massachusetts, and environmental groups fear the species may be on the verge of extinction. The population of the animal has decreased by about 25% from 2010 to 2020.

A whale found dead on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts in January appeared to have been injured by entangled fishing gear. Environmental groups have called for stricter regulations to protect whales from entanglement in gear. However, the federal budget package passed at the end of 2022 includes a six-year pause for new federal whale regulations.

“This is another example of what's happening in US waters,” said Gib Brogan, campaign director for the environmental group Oceana. “We need stronger protections against flooding in US waters.”

Whales were once abundant on the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling and recovery has been slow. They have been under federal protection for decades.

They migrate annually from their breeding grounds in Florida and Georgia to their feeding grounds in New England and Canada. In recent years, travel has become more dangerous as their food sources move as the water warms. Scientists say this change will cause whales to stray from protected areas of the ocean, leaving them vulnerable to entanglements and collisions.

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This story has been corrected to reflect an estimated 25% decline in whale populations from 2010 to 2020, rather than from 2010 to 2010.

Patrick Whittle, Associated Press