The frequency of large shark species appearing in the East Sea is predicted to increase this summer, following the trend in 2023.
The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, announced on the 25th that the catch of warm-water species (amberjack, horse mackerel, Spanish mackerel, etc.) is expected to increase this year due to rising sea temperatures along the East Coast. Consequently, it is estimated that sharks have been attracted to the coastal waters in pursuit of prey.
Since early this year, the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS has analyzed the stomach contents of 11 large shark species that were accidentally caught in the fishing nets in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk provinces. As a result, the analysis confirmed the presence of various migratory fish species such as amberjack, ratfish, and squid.
In recent years, the catch of amberjack along the East Sea has increased by approximately 430% from an average of 1,265 tons from 1994 to 2003 to an average of 6,709 tons over the past decade (2014-2023).
This year, a total of 14 sharks were accidentally caught by fishermen during their operations. Considering that reports of shark sightings were concentrated in July and August of 2023, it is expected that there will be even more reports of sightings during the summer months this year.
Hwang Sun Jae, Director of the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS, urged for “extra caution from fishermen and those engaging in leisure activities at sea during the summer vacation season,” and asked to “promptly report to the coast guard or related agencies if a shark is spotted.”