Fisheries officials have called on people not to go in search of a whale that had been seen in waters off Sai Kung over the past two days.

The rare sighting captured widespread attention after the Hebe Haven Yacht Club released a video that showed what’s believed to be a Bryde’s whale swimming to the surface of the water and opening its mouth before diving back down.

Since then, boat companies have posted advertisements online, offering to take people out on “whale sightings”.

But in a statement, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department urged people not to venture out to sea, saying it is important to minimise any disturbance to the giant mammal.

The Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society also advised members of the public to keep their distance from the whale.

“It's understandable that people would like to witness the grace of the whale and take photos. However, surrounding the baleen whale with boats could potentially startle or distress it, causing unnecessary stress and potentially affecting its ability to find its way back to the open sea”, it said.