Busan to Guide Shark 'Bukang-i' to Open Sea Tomorrow Using Boats and Water Pumps

The Busan Metropolitan Government has decided to guide the shark "Bukang-i," which has been staying in the artificial waterway of the North Port Waterfront Park, to the open sea tomorrow (September 29).

The city held an emergency meeting with relevant agencies at the North Port this afternoon (September 28) and decided to use boats and water pumps starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow to guide Bukang-i out of the waterfront park area.

According to a field survey by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the shark's activity level and respiration are currently stable.

However, considering the width and depth of the waterway and the migration path connected to the open sea, related agencies concluded that there are restrictions on its feeding activities and free movement.

In particular, they decided to encourage its return to natural waters because a prolonged stay in the waterway could gradually diminish its stamina.


The city and relevant agencies plan to use boats and water pumps to guide the shark's movement from the inside of the waterway toward the open sea.

This method refers to a 2004 rescue case in Massachusetts, United States, where a stranded great white shark was guided to the open sea.

Rather than directly capturing or physically stimulating the shark, this approach encourages it to move on its own.

If this method fails, the plan is to use a net custom-made to fit the width and depth of the artificial waterway to guide Bukang-i to the open sea.

The city plans to continuously check the shark's health status during the rescue process and adjust the rescue method and speed to prevent it from experiencing excessive stress.

The rescue and release of the shark will be jointly promoted by relevant agencies centered around the National Institute of Fisheries Science, including the Busan Metropolitan Government, Busan Port Authority, Busan Facilities Corporation, Korea Coast Guard, fire authorities, police, and Dong-gu.

Anticipating that a large crowd will gather when guiding Bukang-i to the open sea tomorrow, the city and relevant agencies have decided to step up on-site safety management.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo stated, "I would like to thank the many people who visited the North Port Waterfront Park during the Chuseok holiday and cooperated with on-site guidance and safety management," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that the shark safely returns to its natural habitat."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.