Many sightseers have flocked to Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve to view the humpback whale that strayed into Hong Kong waters, despite an expert warning that they could confuse the creature and lead to its death.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department urged people not to sail to the area and said patrols would be stepped up to warn vessels not to get close to the whale.
Samuel Hung Ka-yiu, director of the Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project, a government-funded consultancy that monitors dolphins and porpoises, said he saw the 10-metre adult whale swimming near the marine reserve yesterday, the same place where he first saw it on Wednesday.
'We stayed far away from it and observed for about an hour. There were eight to 10 other vessels there during the period, while there were no other vessels during our observation the day before,' Dr Hung said. 'Among the vessels, I think six deliberately sailed out to see the whale. I am very disappointed and even feel furious.'
Since the whale's unprecedented visit to Hong Kong waters was discovered on Monday, Dr Hung has been urging people not to sail out to see it, as it could become confused and even die.
'Hong Kong people have the freedom to do what they want, but then what these people did was endanger the whale,' he said.