National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials are warning boaters about a large group of North Atlantic right whales foraging near Portsmouth.

BOSTON - About 75 North Atlantic right whales, representing about 20% of the critically endangered species' population worldwide, have gathered in an area off the coast of New England. A aerial survey team from the New England Aquarium spotted the whales this week along a 10-mile stretch off the western edge of Jeffreys Ledge.

The whales were seen “in all directions: at the surface, swimming, and diving,” said Kate Laemmle, associate research technician in the Anderson Cabot Center who was aboard the aerial survey flights.