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

The current population of the North Atlantic right whale stands at less than 400 as the species has grown increasingly vulnerable to collisions with ships and entanglements in gear.

One of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales is expected to die after becoming entangled in fishing gear near Nantucket along with a second whale, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday.

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 survey team said a thick rope was located over one whale’s head and back, which could cause its eventual death.