Just 100 Meters From the Sea... Second Rescue Operation for Shark 'Bukang-i' Suspended

[Anchor]

A second rescue operation was carried out to return "Bukang-i," a shark that has been staying in Busan North Port for 15 days, back to the sea. This time, authorities mobilized a large net to herd Bukang-i toward the ocean. However, as the net got caught on the bottom, the operation had to be suspended just 100 meters away from the sea.

Reporter Kim Su-yun has the details.

[Reporter]

A large net measuring 50 meters wide and 6.8 meters high, custom-made to fit the width of the waterfront park waterway, was installed.

Citizens gathered as related organizations, including the Coast Guard, mobilized vessels to conduct a rehearsal that lasted for more than two hours.

People continued to visit to see off the shark, following news that this might be their last chance to catch a glimpse of Bukang-i.

[KIM DOYEON, Jeong Seo-yul, Kim Do-gyeong / Saha-gu, Busan: We came to see Bukang-i for the last time because we heard it was leaving today.]

However, the operation started at 4:00 PM, 30 minutes later than originally planned, because Bukang-i hid deeper inside the waterway.

A vessel towed the net from the center of the waterway, while about 10 personnel stationed on both sides of the waterside promenade held the ends of the net, herding Bukang-i toward the sea.

A vessel equipped with a water pump was positioned behind the net, but the pump was not used so as not to provoke Bukang-i.

As Bukang-i inched closer to the sea, cheers from citizens grew louder.

However, at a point 100 meters away from the entrance of the waterway, the net got caught on the bottom and became tangled.

As the high tide approached and the water level rose, the National Institute of Fisheries Science ultimately recommended suspending the operation.

Coast Guard vessels withdrew around 5:30 PM.

Related agencies have secured both sides of the net to prevent Bukang-i from heading back inside the waterway.

Bukang-i is reportedly currently lingering between the net and the entrance of the waterway.

The Busan Metropolitan Government plans to monitor whether Bukang-i will head out to sea on its own before holding a situation assessment meeting to discuss future rescue measures.

(Video by Jeong Kyungmun, Video Editing by Jeong Yong-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.