Reunion island swimming with whales video: Humpback swats away swimmer with tail

Divers off the Indian Ocean island of Reunion have been warned: Give the whales some space or expect a fin for your troubles.

The French overseas territory is one of the rare sites where swimming with whales is allowed, but local conservationists are unhappy that divers are not following the rules and the whales are fighting back.

One agitated humpback female, swimming with her calf, was seen on Wednesday swiping at encroaching divers with her fin, which can measure up to 18 feet (5.5 metres).

"It's a clear signal and coming from a 30 tonne animal, it can result in fatal accidents," said Olivier Hoarau, a conservationist from the CEDTM research and protection centre dubbed the "tranquillity brigade".

The brigade, financed by local authorities, was set up last year to protect local sea life, including the 230 humpback whales that have been counted this year, amid an increase in tourist numbers.

Hoarau regularly participates in patrols in the area which swoop in on divers who break the rules about swimming near the whales. He said that since June, three quarters of the 500 boats he has approached have broken the rules.

Whales are not the only sea creature Reunion has had issues with.

While Australia and South Africa have their fair share of sharks, nothing compares to Reunion's recent record. Scientists have been studying the phenomenon for years, but are unable to determine why this particular place has become such a centre for attacks.

In 2013, the government banned swimming and surfing at any of the island's beaches save for those protected by shark nets or lagoons. There were two fatal attacks in 2017, eight since 2011. That may not sound like a lot compared to Australia (which has had 17 since 2011), but the population and coastline of Reunion is tiny compared to Australia's.