Drone footage has captured a paddleboarder getting too close to film a southern right whale mother and calf, and nudged away by the protective parent.

The incident happened at Point Ann at the weekend, about 538 kilometres south-east of Perth.

Drone footage shows the unidentified person using flippers to kick out to the whales.

After a period of time, the adult whale approaches, nudging the paddleboard while the person continues to film, before the whales leave the area.

Swimming with, feeding or touching whales is not permitted under WA regulations.

The guidelines state that if a person is in the water and a whale approaches them, they must maintain a minimum 100-metre distance.

University of Western Australia whale researcher Kate Sprogis said Point Ann was a crucial aggregation ar

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