Whale rider let off with a warning

File Photo / Mark Mitchell.

Perth - A teenager who climbed on a southern right whale off Western Australia's coast has been let off with a warning.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) wildlife officers investigated reports from witnesses who saw the boy climb on the whale 20m off Albany's Middleton Beach, about 390km southeast of Perth.

Officers have tracked down and interviewed the teenager and his family and issued him with an official warning.

DEC Albany district manager Mike Shephard said the teenager appeared to be remorseful.

"Although he acted foolishly, we believe that there was no malicious intent to harm the whale."

Mr Shephard said the teenager had told officers he regretted his actions and it was a spur of the moment decision.

"We believe he now realises that he had put himself in serious danger by approaching the whale," he said.

"In this instance, the teenager was lucky to have escaped injury but it could have easily ended tragically had he been in the way of a tail slap or breaching action."

Harassing protected species is an offence under the Wildlife Conservation Act and carries a maximum fine of A$10,000.

Boats, surfers and kayakers must remain 100m away from whales for their own safety.

- AAP