Busan to make third attempt on 21 Oct to guide shark Bukangi out to sea
In short
Authorities in Busan plan a third attempt on 21 October to guide the shark nicknamed Bukangi from an artificial waterway in Busan's North Port Waterfront Park to the open sea. This time they will use nets attached to a pontoon, divers and drones. Officials cited the shark's lack of observed feeding, falling temperatures and a cruise-free day as reasons to act now.
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A third operation to guide the shark nicknamed Bukangi from the waterway of North Port Waterfront Park in Busan to the open sea is to be carried out on 21 October. Busan city said on 20 October that it would proceed with the relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea. Yonhap reported that the ministry announced the operation. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
On 20 October the city held a coordination meeting near Busan Station with ten agencies, including the National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan Port Authority and Busan Facilities Corporation, to settle the detailed plan and each agency's role. The ministry's marine ecology division and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea will lead the work. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Officials said speed was needed because the shark's feeding has not been confirmed and falling air and water temperatures could worsen its health, a judgment attributed to specialist institutions. Chosun Ilbo said feeding had not been confirmed for a month. The day was chosen because no cruise ships are scheduled on 21 October and temperatures are forecast to drop sharply from 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The plan seeks to address limits in the waterway's terrain and depth seen in the first two attempts. On the afternoon of 20 October the agencies were to survey the seabed and obstacles at the waterway entrance with sonar and underwater drones. On the morning of 21 October they will install barrier nets and a pontoon, a floating work platform, around the fifth and sixth pedestrian bridges and hold a rehearsal. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Nets attached to the pontoon will be moved toward the sea to steer the shark, and the rear will be closed so it cannot swim back inside. Yonhap said staff will be stationed on the pontoon to block the shark's approach and that a second net will be set further inside, because a gap may open between the waterway floor and the net as the water deepens near the exit. Drones will track the shark in real time and divers will check obstacles and the nets. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily said the main work would start in the afternoon. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said the city would do its best to return the shark safely and asked citizens to refrain from acts that could interfere and to follow access controls and safety staff instructions. The ministry said it would keep checking the shark's condition and movement, minimise stimulus to the animal and put the safety of workers and park visitors first. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
Yonhap said the roughly 3-metre shark was first seen in the waterway on 18 September and that cumulative visitors to the park had passed 1.6 million. An attempt on 29 September to drive it out with water jets failed. On 2 October a net drove it to a point 100 metres from the waterway exit, but it crossed the net and returned the next day. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
Officials said the shark's health could worsen as air and water temperatures fall, which is why they want it back in open water quickly. The first two attempts did not keep the shark out of the waterway, so the outcome will show whether the revised method works.
Key facts
- The third operation to guide the shark Bukangi to the open sea is set for 21 October at the North Port Waterfront Park waterway in Busan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ten agencies held a coordination meeting on 20 October near Busan Station; the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' marine ecology division and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea will lead the work. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Nets connected to a pontoon will be moved slowly toward the sea, with the rear blocked so the shark cannot return; divers will check obstacles and the nets, and drones will track the shark in real time. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Equipment is to be installed around the fifth and sixth pedestrian bridges on the morning of 21 October, followed by a rehearsal; the guiding itself is to begin in the afternoon. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The date was chosen because no cruise ships are scheduled on 21 October and temperatures are forecast to fall sharply from 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Two earlier attempts, on 29 September and 2 October, failed to send the shark to sea. [ 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A third guiding operation is scheduled for 21 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Specialist institutions judged quick action necessary because feeding by the shark has not been confirmed and falling temperatures could harm its health. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The method uses nets and a pontoon, with divers and drones, and a rear barrier to stop the shark returning inside the waterway. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The earlier attempts of 29 September and 2 October failed. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Access to the fifth and sixth pedestrian bridges and main work areas will be restricted for safety. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the third attempt will get the shark to the open sea and keep it there. The documents were published the day before the operation and report only plans.
- When the guiding will start on 21 October. Newsis says work starts once on-site preparation is finished, while Seoul Economic Daily, Kukmin Ilbo and Yonhap say it begins in the afternoon.
- How long the shark has gone without feeding. Chosun Ilbo says feeding has not been confirmed for a month; the other outlets say only that feeding has not been confirmed.