Fashion is already a strange thing, with many bizarre new trends appearing frequently but one fashion accessory is now banned from Bay Venue pools due to safety concerns.

Mermaid tails are the newest craze. They can be bought online for $40, a stretch of fabric, designed to look like a fish tail, which cover the wearer from feet to hips.

BaySwim manager Simon Leach with an example of the banned tails.

The tails bind the legs together and restrict movement so whoever is wearing the tail can only flop around like a fish.

The tails come in a wide variety of patterns and colours that are appealing to the younger generation.

The seller's website claims they are designed with the ‘best safety features', but this is not the view Bay Venues pools shares.

Bay Venues Pools have 22 venues all around Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa and due to the safety concerns surrounding the tails, bans have been put on the use of the tails in such pools such as; Baywave, Greerton, Memorial, and Otumoetai pools as well as Mt Maunganui Hot Pools.

BaySwim manager Simon Leach says even though Bay Venues encourages having fun in their pools, the fact is that the tails are dangerous and are no longer allowed.

Not only are the tails restrictive and should only be used with supervision, Simon says it's also a hazard for lifeguards on duty.

'Watching out for children in mermaid suits distracts lifeguards from their duty to respond to incidents or accidents for all pool users. We can't have isolated swimmers putting other pool users at risk, so we are taking a preventative and proactive approach.”

This view is also shared by Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge, who says the mermaid tails are dangerous and a definite drowning risk.

'The tails are a novelty water toy – and like any other, should only be used in a private pool, under active one-to-one adult supervision.”

The ban on mermaid tails spreads further than the Bay of Plenty, with many other cities in New Zealand banning their use and even some countries abroad.