Why are sharks being seen more often off Korea's east coast?

Local authorities attributed the recent rise in shark sightings to rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming. The sightings have come during the summer holiday season, when more people are visiting beaches.

What safety measures are maritime police taking at east coast beaches?

Maritime police have strengthened patrols along the shores, and local authorities have set up large nets to try to keep sharks away from beaches. An officer in Pohang also urged fishermen and beachgoers to take extra precautions.

What shark sightings were reported in Pohang and Uljin?

In Pohang, local fishermen caught a 1.8-meter-long shark in a net, and a fishing boat captain reported seeing another shark measuring about two to three meters. In Uljin, fishermen spotted a shark caught in a net near Mangyangjeong Beach on June 28.

Beachgoers urged to watch out for sharks off east coast

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Summary

Maritime police and local governments along eastern coastal regions are on high alert as sharks have been spotted more frequently near beaches. Local authorities said at least 10 live or dead sharks were seen in coastal waters in a month, and they linked the increase to rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming. Police have strengthened patrols and local governments have set up large nets to keep sharks away from beaches. A Pohang officer urged fishermen and beachgoers to take extra precautions.

Key Facts

Local authorities said at least 10 live or dead sharks were spotted in coastal waters in a month.
A shark about 1.8 meters long was found caught in a net off Pohang on Monday.
A captain of a fishing boat reported seeing a shark about two to three meters long off Pohang, and the National Institute of Fisheries Science presumed it was a shortfin mako.
On June 28, fishermen in Uljin spotted a shark caught in a net near Mangyangjeong Beach.

By Jun Ji-hye

Published Jul 11, 2023 3:26 pm KST
Updated Jul 12, 2023 10:28 am KST

By Jun Ji-hye

Maritime police and local governments servicing eastern coastal regions are on high alert as sharks have been spotted more frequently there recently.

Seen is a dead shark that was caught in a net in waters off Samcheok, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Yonhap

Local authorities said Tuesday that at least 10 live or dead sharks have been spotted in coastal waters in a month, attributing the frequent shark visits to rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming.

As an increasing number of people are visiting beaches for the summer holiday season, the maritime police have strengthened patrols of the shores. Local authorities have also set up large nets in an attempt to keep sharks away from beaches.

According to the maritime police in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, local fishermen spotted a 1.8-meter-long shark caught in the net on Monday.

This came a day after a captain of a fishing boat reported to the police that he saw a shark, which was about two to three meters long, swimming in waters off Pohang. The National Institute of Fisheries Science analyzed photos of the shark the captain took and presumed it was a shortfin mako.

On June 28, fishermen in Uljin also spotted a shark caught in the net near Mangyangjeong Beach.

“Fishermen and beachgoers are required to take extra precautions as a series of reports about shark visits have been made recently,” a maritime police officer in Pohang said.

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