As a series of heatwaves continues to grip South Korea, an unusual increase in shark sightings is causing fear among residents.
This summer, the rise in shark encounters off the coast of Jeju has raised concerns, particularly for those engaged in water-based leisure activities and haenyeo (female divers).
According to the Seogwipo Coast Guard Station, a scuba diver reported spotting a shark near Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo, around 5 PM on Aug. 11. While the exact species of the shark could not be identified, its size was estimated to be between 2 and 2.5 meters.
Since June, divers and fishermen have reported five shark sightings in the coastal waters around Jeju, including areas near Jigwido, Jungmun, and Seongsan. In two of these cases, Copperr sharks were actually captured.
Copper sharks typically inhabit temperate and subtropical waters and can grow up to 3 meters in length. Like great white sharks and tiger sharks, they are known to attack humans.
Last year, four shark sightings were reported in the waters off Jeju City and Seogwipo City. The recent spike in sightings along the Jeju coast is thought to be linked to changing marine conditions in Korea, including rising water temperatures and a significant decline in the population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which once helped keep sharks away from the shore.
With the increase in shark sightings, authorities have also urged the public to take extra precautions.
A maritime police official stressed the importance of safety during activities like scuba diving and snorkeling, urging people to report any shark sightings immediately.
