Massive Shark Appears Just Steps from Walking Trail in Busan

[Anchor]

A massive shark, measuring 3 to 4 meters in length, has appeared off the coast of Busan. Rather than being far out at sea, it came right up to a park walking trail frequently used by citizens.

KNN reporter Kim Min-sung has the story.

[Reporter]

A sharp fin and a streamlined body.

It is a large shark swimming through the water.

The 3 to 4-meter shark appeared right in front of the Busan North Port Waterfront Park, a popular walking trail for many citizens.

It shocked residents after it was spotted swimming around the area starting the previous night.

[Na Seok-rok / Choryang-dong, Busan: When I saw the emergency safety text message saying a shark had appeared in the North Port Waterfront Park waterway... the shark was thrashing around fiercely near the rocks at the corner.]

The shark discovered this time is presumed to be a bull shark species, which has a ferocious nature and a high risk of attacking humans.

It appears that the shark approached the coast, entered the waterfront park waterway, and became trapped because it could not find a way out.

The Coast Guard deployed a maritime special rescue team, coastal rescue boats, and patrol vessels to the scene, while also working to drive the shark away using a shark deterrent device.

While sharks have occasionally been found off the coast of Busan, this is the first time a shark has appeared inside Busan Port at the North Port Waterfront Park.

Until now, they have mainly been spotted in the deep waters of the East Sea, but they are gradually approaching the coast.

[Ji Hwan-sung / Marine and Fishery Researcher, National Institute of Fisheries Science: Right now, reports of shark appearances starting from the country's East Sea coast are increasing significantly. A lot of reports are coming in centered around beaches all the way up to the northern part of the East Sea.]

Experts explain that rising water temperatures have increased warm-current prey such as mackerel and bluefin tuna, leading to a more frequent appearance of sharks.

Currently, following a recommendation from the National Institute of Fisheries Science to let it return to the sea naturally, the Coast Guard has temporarily halted its repulsion operations and is monitoring the situation.

(Video capture: Hwang Tae-chul, KNN | Video provided by viewers Kim Bin, Jin Yun-young)

KNN, Kim Min-sung
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.