Last year, the frequent appearance of large sharks along South Korea’s east coast emerged as a significant coastal safety issue. This summer, the frequency of shark sightings on the eastern coast is expected to increase again.
The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) issued a press release on the 25th, forecasting such an increase and urging caution for summer activities along the east coast.
The main reason for this prediction is the recent increase in the catch of warm-water fish species in the East Sea due to rising sea temperatures around the Korean peninsula. It is presumed that sharks, which prey on these types of fish, have migrated closer to the coast following their prey.
Since the beginning of this year, the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS has analyzed the stomach contents of 11 large sharks caught in fishing nets in Gangwon and North Gyeongsang Province. The results confirmed that the sharks had eaten several warm-water fish species, including amberjack, ratfish, and squid.
Notably, the catch of amberjack in the East Sea has increased significantly by 430%, from an average of 1,265 tons 30 years ago to the recent 10-year average of 6,709 tons.
From the beginning of the year to early this month, a total of 14 sharks have been accidentally caught while fishing. Considering that last year’s reports of shark sightings were concentrated in July and August, the number of reports is expected to increase this summer.
Director of the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute Hwang Sun Jae said, “As we expect the large sharks to frequently appear off the east coast this summer, we will strengthen monitoring for the safety of our citizens. We will also promptly share relevant information with related agencies.” He also urged fishermen under fishing operations and visitors enjoying the sea during the summer holiday season to be extra cautious. “If you spot a shark, please report it immediately to the Coast Guard or other relevant agencies.”
Meanwhile, the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute is conducting ecological studies to understand the current domestic appearance and the main food sources of large sharks, followed by the sudden increase in shark appearances along the eastern coast last year.
In collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kangwon National University, the institute plans to conduct in-depth research into the distribution characteristics of sharks on the eastern coast by analyzing environmental DNA in seawater.
