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

About 25 North Atlantic right whales gathered south of the Vineyard last week, marking an early-season sighting.

Dr. Mark Baumgartner will be the featured speaker for Plight of the Right Whale, an upcoming Tuesdays in the Newsroom talk held at the Gazette office on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

A decomposed whale that washed up on Chappaquiddick last month has been identified as a North Atlantic right whale, adding to the death toll.

The deaths of 13 North Atlantic right whales in the United States and Canada this year is being considered an unusual mortality event, triggering an investigation into the cause.

Researchers are analyzing samples taken from a dead humpback whale that washed up on the south shore of Martha’s Vineyard this week.

Norton Point will be closed to swimmers and vehicle traffic Wednesday to accommodate efforts to remove a dead fin whale.

Norton Point was reopened Wednesday morning after a dead fin whale was towed out to sea.

While watching whalers may be a pastime for some Islanders, I prefer to watch whales.

David Tilton and Lynn Silva were out making their typical derby rounds Friday afternoon when they came across a whale in 20 to 25 feet of water just off the Brickyard on the Chilmark north shore.