Department of Conservation staff have cautioned boat users to steer clear of whales after a boat ventured dangerously close to a southern right whale off the Dunedin coast on Wednesday.
The whale was spotted swimming near St Clair beach and attracted the attention of people onshore as well as in boats.
Doc marine ranger Jim Fyfe was concerned a boat may have approached too close to the whale, which was dangerous for both those in the boat and the whale.
"Whales are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act and it is an offence to harass or disturb them.
"We realise there is a lot of public interest in these precious marine mammals. However, with this increased curiosity comes threats such as boat strike, noise pollution, harassment, displacement and separation of mothers and their young."
Mr Fyfe said boats, plus kayaks and surfboards, should stay at least 50m away from whales, and 200m from whale mothers and calves.
He recommended boats travel no faster than idle or no wake speed within 300m, and a whale should be approached from behind and to the side.
Swimming with whales was not permitted, and people should not disturb, harass or make loud noises near them, he said.
Contact should stop if the whale shows any signs of becoming disturbed or alarmed.
There should be no more than three vessels within 300m of a whale.
Mr Fyfe said Doc personnel and researchers had permits to deviate from the regulations for the purpose of getting identification photos and samples.
