Second Rescue Attempt for 'Bukangi' Set for Tomorrow... Guiding to Open Sea with 50-Meter Net

The second rescue operation to return the shark "Bukangi," currently staying in the artificial waterway of the Busan Bukhang Waterfront Park, back to the sea will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow (the 2nd).

This comes three days after the Busan Metropolitan City government, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, and other relevant authorities failed in their first rescue attempt using water cannons and vessels on September 29.

This time, the operation will be carried out by fundamentally blocking the shark's movement path inside the waterway with a net and guiding it toward the open sea.

The joint rescue team from relevant agencies gathered around the 4th Pedestrian Bridge in Bukhang this afternoon to conduct a rehearsal.


For this operation, the National Institute of Fisheries Science has manufactured a large net measuring 50 meters in length and 6.8 meters in height, equipped with heavy weights at the bottom to prevent the shark from escaping underneath.

Two vessels and 10 personnel will be deployed for the guidance operation to pull the net toward the sea.

Behind the net, a vessel equipped with a water pump will generate foam to naturally guide Bukangi toward the open sea.

Once Bukangi moves outside the waterway, the net will be fixed in place to prevent the shark from returning.

Depending on signs of stress from Bukangi during the rescue process, the operation method and movement speed will be adjusted flexibly.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said, "We will do our utmost to ensure Bukangi safely returns to the wide open sea," adding, "We will monitor the shark's health status based on expert judgment and ensure there is no laxity in on-site safety management."

(Photo courtesy of Busan Metropolitan City, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.