This photo released by Hong Kong SAR government on July 26 shows the suspected Bryde's whale in Sai Kung waters. (PHOTO / GIS)

Officials and local conservation organizations have urged the public not to pursue the whale that was spotted off Sai Kung in order to protect the injured mammal.

A seven-meter-long Bryde’s whale was spotted by experts and local residents in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, in mid-July, with two wounds on its back.

On Wednesday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) called on the public not go on boat trips to watch the whale.

Irresponsible whale watching behavior may constitute an act of wilful disturbance of protected wild animals and offenders are liable to one year's imprisonment and a fine of HK$100,000 upon conviction

The AFCD spokesman stressed that all cetaceans are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Irresponsible whale watching behavior may constitute an act of wilful disturbance of protected wild animals and offenders are liable to one year's imprisonment and a fine of HK$100,000 upon conviction. 

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The spokesman also reminded the public to keep their distance, slow down their vessels and be aware of their personal safety to avoid accidents in the vicinity of whales.

Since receiving sighting reports of the whale, the AFCD and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong have stepped up patrols and distributed promotional leaflets to public. The AFCD vowed to keep monitoring the condition of the whale and explore appropriate options to help it.

According to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, the whale is believed to have been hit by a ship’s propeller. The foundation urged people not to get close to the whale when out to sea.

Compass Chan, scientific director of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, said that experts have observed the whale for nearly two weeks.    

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Chan himself witnessed two wounds on the whale's back last Sunday, which seemed to be healing. Chan said that he saw the whale foraging on Wednesday morning, but only for 10 seconds. He said the whale did not open its mouth so widely, reflecting a change in its eating behavior.

This photo released by Hong Kong SAR government on July 26 shows the suspected Bryde's whale in Sai Kung waters. (PHOTO / GIS)

Chan mentioned that the experts have been monitoring the whale, keeping in touch with staff from the AFCD. He added that if a ship comes too close to the whale, the crew could contact the Marine Police for assistance. 

Philip Wong, chief curator of Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, said that the whale still seemed willing to eat. However, Wong said that it is constant approach to the whale by boats that has upset the whale and caused it to change its behavior.

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Wong pointed out that the whale is now in a good condition and has the ability to swim back out to sea.  

Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com