Less than a month into the calving season, four baby North Atlantic right whales have already been spotted off the coast of Florida and Georgia, offering a glimmer of hope for the species.

Recent grants were awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to develop and study ropeless or breakable rope fishing technology for lobstermen and other trap fishermen.

One month, six dead whales, four of them females. The North Atlantic right whale population is still fluttering on the point of extinction despite a trans-national conservation effort.

Researchers, conservationists and fishermen have agreed on measures to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales, whose population continues to teeter at the brink of extinction.

Finally there is some good news for the North Atlantic right whale — about 6,000 pounds of good news.

A group of 17 North Atlantic right whales was spotted by an aerial survey team 21 miles south of Nantucket early this week, prompting a renewed call for voluntary speed restrictions among mariners and also renewed concern for the future of the critically endangered mammals.

The decomposing carcass of a North Atlantic right whale was discovered off Chappaquiddick on Sunday.

Three North Atlantic right whales were seen south of Martha’s Vineyard this week; mariners are advised to use caution.

Rescuers have been working to free an entangled female North Atlantic right whale, one of the many that have made their seasonal arrival in waters south of the Vineyard and in Cape Cod Bay to feed.

After a year of rising concern about North Atlantic right whales, scientists have yet to document a single newborn whale during calving season.