Busan North Port sees consecutive shark sightings in urban waterways

Large sharks have been spotted for two consecutive days in the artificial waterways of Busan North Port Waterfront Park in South Korea. The sightings, occurring on September 18 and 19, involve sharks estimated to be 3 to 4 meters in length, believed to be sand tiger sharks.

Authorities suggest the sharks entered the urban waterway while following prey, a behavior linked to rising sea temperatures. The National Institute of Fisheries Science noted that warmer waters are causing warm-water fish species to move north, bringing predators like sharks closer to the coast.

While the Korea Coast Guard and local authorities initially attempted to guide the sharks back to the open sea, they suspended active removal efforts following expert advice that aggressive handling could increase the sharks' hostility. Instead, officials are monitoring the situation to allow the animals to exit the waterway naturally.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo has assured citizens of their safety and emphasized that the presence of such species may indicate a healthy marine ecosystem, promising to manage the area to ensure a safe coexistence between humans and marine life.