People on South Beach Sunday were treated to the sight of whales slapping the water close to shore.

A decomposing minke whale was found washed ashore this week by an Island family that was out for a walk on their Cape Higgon beach.

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.

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

Dr. John Patrick worked to set the identification of a whale skull bone in motion.

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.

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.