The dead minke whale was found washed ashore on Black Point Beach in Chilmark on Sunday.

Several whales and other marine animals were seen off the Vineyard shores this week, a sign that summer is approaching.

A decomposing minke whale was found washed ashore this week by an Island family that was out for a walk on their Cape Higgon beach.

A minke whale entangled in fishing gear 40 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard was freed Sunday by the Center for Coastal Studies Marine Animal Entanglement Response. Responders said they expected the 15-foot whale to recover.