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.