Blue whales spotted near Martha's Vineyard in rare sightings

New England Aquarium aerial surveys recorded three blue whales over two days off southern New England, including two about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard; researchers said such sightings are uncommon for this population.

Scientists from the New England Aquarium reported rare sightings of blue whales in southern New England waters during aerial surveys last week. One whale was observed on Feb. 27 near the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, and two were seen the next day about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. Blue whales are an endangered species with a western North Atlantic population estimated at roughly 400 to 600 individuals. Researchers say these sightings are uncommon because the population is usually studied in summer in Canadian feeding areas. Recent observations: - An aerial survey team saw one blue whale on Feb. 27 near the base of Lydonia Canyon in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, about 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod. - On Feb. 28 the same team spotted two blue whales roughly 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard; the aquarium said this was the first time it documented a blue whale in its southern New England survey area. - The New England Aquarium has recorded blue whales in New England waters twice before: in the Northeast Canyons in 2020 and off Maine in 2023, with other sporadic reports such as Cape Ann in 2024. - The western North Atlantic blue whale population is reported as approximately 400–600 animals, and the species' diet is mainly krill; distribution is influenced by food availability and migratory patterns are not fully known. - During the same survey scientists documented more than 300 other animals, including three fin whales, three sperm whales, about 50 pilot whales, and hundreds of dolphins. - The article reports that protections for species within the Northeast Canyons monument were rolled back last month, and that blue whales face risks such as entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. Summary: The sightings provide researchers with rare data points about blue whale presence in southern New England and may reflect local oceanographic conditions that support feeding. Undetermined at this time.