Blue-Ringed Octopus Found in Jeju "Toxin 10 Times Stronger Than Cyanide"

A highly venomous blue-ringed octopus caught by an angler off the coast of Hwaam Lighthouse, Dong-gu, Ulsan on the 25th of last month.
[Photo by Ulsan Maritime Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The blue-ringed octopus, known to be more than 10 times more toxic than cyanide, has been found again in Jeju.

Today (21st), the Jeju Coast Guard announced that a blue-ringed octopus was discovered by a tourist at around 5:55 PM the previous day in the waters off Geumnung Beach, Hallim-eup, Jeju City. At the time, an angler, Mr. A, found an octopus about the size of a palm with unusual coloring on the beach during a walk, caught it using a tool, placed it in a plastic container, and reported it to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard presumed the octopus to be a blue-ringed octopus and reportedly buried it underground for disposal. The blue-ringed octopus mainly inhabits subtropical seas such as the South Pacific Ocean and carries tetrodotoxin in its salivary glands, which can kill a person with as little as 1 mg. If bitten or exposed to its ink, symptoms such as paralysis, vomiting, and respiratory distress may occur.

Previously, blue-ringed octopuses were found at Sinchon Port in Jeju City in February and at Sin-eom Port in Jeju City in May. The Jeju Coast Guard warned, "The blue-lined octopus or blue-ringed octopus carries a strong poison," and urged, "Do not touch it with your hands under any circumstances and report it immediately."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.