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 necropsy of North Atlantic right whale 5120, which washed up on shore in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, in January. NOAA Fisheries Federal scientists say an endangered North Atlantic right whale found dead on a Massachusetts shoreline last winter suffered fatal injuries from being chronically entangled in lobster fishing gear.

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.

The female North Atlantic right whale was found dead near Martha’s Vineyard in January due to chronic entanglement.

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,