WCVB reporter Duke Castiglione was on Long Beach yesterday for the following story. Click on the link below to see Cape Ann locals and Castiglione at Long Beach!
http://www.wcvb.com/article/noaa-extends-emergency-bans-to-protect-endangered-right-whales/20181874
NOAA extends emergency bans to protect endangered right whales
WCVB: Federal authorities have extended a ban on trap gear closures for part of Cape Cod Bay to reduce the risk of right whales becoming entangled in trap gear.
Right whales are critically endangered and scientists say their population has been decreasing since 2010 due to continued mortality and low birth rates.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recent aerial surveys have observed upward of 100 right whales — about 25% of the known population — within Western Cape Cod Bay.
Officials said high plankton counts indicate the whales will likely remain in the bay into next week.
The whales have also been spotted off the coast of Cape Ann.
The Salem News reports Marblehead has been treated to some rare sightings of right whales over the past several days.
Right Whales are feeding along the Massachusetts coastline on their northward migration to feeding grounds off the coast of Nova Scotia, amongst other northern locations.
Good Morning Gloucester 