What would you have done? Group of swimmers come under fire and risk steep fines as they frantically swim towards whales off Bondi Beach
- Swimmers off Bondi Beach have been captured frolicking with whales
- The drone footage was captured at about 4pm on August 3 by rdearphotography
- The pair of beautiful beasts looked comfortable, swirling and floating around
- While most people would love the opportunity, it is illegal to swim with whales
- NSW Government regulations state that swimmers cannot come within 30m
Two whales swimming off the coast of Bondi Beach have been met by eager swimmers who put their bodies on the line to be treated to the experience of a lifetime.
Drone footage captured by rdearphotography at about 4pm on August 3 shows the snorkelers and paddlers coming within metres of the enormous marine animals.
The whales don’t seem to be bothered by the swimmers, as they frolic and roll over beside eachother, but in one frightful moment a swatting tail comes within inches of hitting one of the men.
While almost everyone would jump at the chance to have a close encounter with the beautiful beasts, it is actually illegal to come that close to them in the wild.
Swimmers in Bondi have approached a pair of huge whales off the coast of Bondi Beach, but their actions are illegal under NSW law
NSW Government regulations have strict laws regarding the approach of marine animals, attempting to protect whales, dolphins and seals.
The Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 was introduced due to the increased popularity of dolphin and whale watching activities.
The laws state that you must stay 30 metres away from whales when swimming.
But that distance only applies if you are already in the water. You must not enter the water within 100 metres of a whale.
The law states that ‘you must stay 30 metres away from whales when swimming’ if you are already in the water, but you must not enter water within 100 metres of a whale
Fines for coming too close to a whale can range from $689 to $16,500.
The vision shared by multiple drone sources on Tuesday has attracted a number of comments as users argue if the swimmers were in the wrong.
One commenter wrote: ‘I was there. These guys were snorkelling at flat rock and then as soon as they saw the whale they swam over to it in the middle of the bay at such a pace that Emma McKeon would probably rival. They went to the whale, it didn’t come to them’.
The vision has divided viewers, as some marvel as the brilliant experience, while others highlighted the dangers and that their actions are in fact illegal
Another added: ‘It’s clear the guy not wearing a wetsuit is gunning it to the whale. Dangerous for both him and whale’.
Other commenters focused on the encounter, adding: ‘WOW. What an amazing experience for them’.