Mermaids have just become an endangered species in parts of Victoria.

The YMCA has banned mermaid tails, which swimmers wear over their legs, at more than 50 of its pools throughout the state.

Daniel Hayward Credit:Facebook

In a statement, the community organisation said the ban had been made for safety reasons.

"Mermaid tails create unnecessary risk to our patrons by restricting swimming ability, especially for weak swimmers and children," the statement read. "It's possible parents have purchased the product without realising the safety risk."