Three critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have been spotted entangled in fishing gear off the Eastern Seaboard this month, a number that a researcher says is "devastating but not unusual.

The North Atlantic right whales, which were seen off the coast of Massachusetts, are one of the most endangered large whale species.

The two whales have been identified as a juvenile male — which authorities think will “likely to die” — and a 13-year-old female

The endangered whales are North Atlantic right whales, which number fewer than 400 and are vulnerable to ship collisions and entanglement.

The whale spotted off North Carolina has suffered a serious injury and is likely to die as a result of the entanglement, NOAA said.

A third endangered North Atlantic right whale was found tangled in fishing gear off the East Coast last Monday, just days after two others had been recovered in critical condition near Nantucket. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found a North Atlantic right whale stuck about 60 miles east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Dec.