Scientists say they have spotted a record number of endangered blue whales off the coast of Washington state.

John Calambokidis (cal-um-BOH'-kee-dihs) of Olympia-based Cascadia Research was in one of two research vessels that spotted the creatures about 25 miles from Westport. He says more needs to be known about the distribution of the blue whales.

The Olympian reports (http://bit.ly/sIX5Wn) that last week's expedition is part of the three-year effort by Cascadia Research to learn more about endangered whales off Washington and Oregon.

Blue whales are the largest mammals and can reach lengths of 100 feet. They can weigh as much as 150 tons.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com