More than 160 whales seen off Massachusetts coast in single day

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, Mass. (WWLP) – Researchers conducting some aerial surveys recently saw a total of 161 whales just off the southern coasts of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

While the Massachusetts coast is known for North Atlantic Right Whales, the NOAA Fisheries Science Center team saw more than seven species of whales in the ocean in a single day. Scientists also got a rare chance to witness a killer whale as it was eating a tuna.

Also a new record, the crew saw 93 sei whales, one of the highest amounts ever recorded on a single day. In addition to sei and killer whales, scientists also saw 36 humpbacks, 21 fin whales, minke, sperm and right whales.

Massachusetts is one of the best states in the country to see whales off the coastline. Whale-watching businesses are very active during the late spring, summer and early fall months. One good tip for seeing a whale in the ocean is to look for hovering birds, they follow whales as they approach the surface while feeding.

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