Federal investigators said Maine fishing gear is to blame for the death of an endangered female right found dead near Martha’s Vineyard in January. While some lobstermen say they’re sad to hear about the death of the whale,

Federal authorities say a rare whale found dead off Massachusetts earlier this year died as a result of entanglement in Maine lobster fishing gear.

The small invertebrates, several species of which are invasive, are attaching themselves in large numbers to lobster traps.

A rare whale found dead off Massachusetts earlier this year died as a result of entanglement in Maine lobster fishing gear, federal authorities said. The North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Martha’s Vineyard in January.

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction, and there are roughly 360 whales of this species left.

Federal biologists say Maine fishing gear killed an endangered right whale that washed up on Martha’s Vineyard back in January.