Busan North Port shark sighting draws 30,000 visitors

A large shark, estimated to be between 3 and 4 meters long, has drawn approximately 30,000 visitors to the Busan North Port Waterfront Park in South Korea after appearing in its waterways on January 18. The shark, identified by the National Institute of Fisheries Science as a potentially blunthead catshark or similar species, has remained in the canal for several days, creating a significant local tourism phenomenon.

Authorities, including the Busan Coast Guard, initially attempted to guide the shark back to the open sea but ceased active intervention following expert advice that forced movement could trigger aggressive behavior. Instead, officials are monitoring the animal to allow it to exit naturally. The influx of crowds has led to increased local business revenue and prompted the park management to switch to emergency duty to maintain order and safety.

Speculation regarding the shark's presence has grown following the sighting of a smaller fish, approximately 1 meter long, leading to online rumors of a birth. Experts suggest the shark may have entered the waterway while following prey, a movement potentially driven by rising sea temperatures due to global warming.