Dead Stranded 'Sanggyeong-i' Marine Protected Species Found Near Jeju Biyangdo

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] A carcass of a finless porpoise, a marine protected species, was found near Elephant Rock on the coast of Biyangdo, Hallim-eup, Jeju City.

According to the Jeju Maritime Police Station on the 7th, a report was received at around 9:20 a.m. that a dolphin carcass was found near Elephant Rock on the coast of Biyangdo, Hallim-eup, Jeju City.

The Hallim Police Substation's coastal rescue boat was dispatched and arrived at the scene at 9:59 a.m., where they found one dolphin carcass washed ashore.

After collecting evidence, the Hallim Police Substation patrol team inquired with the National Institute of Fisheries Science Whale Research Center and received a response that it was a female finless porpoise approximately 165 cm in length and 78 cm in girth, and it appeared to have been deceased for about a week.

Since no signs of illegal capture were found, the finless porpoise carcass was handed over to the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency at around 11:05 a.m. for precise determination of the cause of death and marine ecological environment research.

A total of 28 finless porpoises have been found by the Jeju Maritime Police this year, all without signs of illegal capture.

A representative of the Jeju Maritime Police Station stated, “The finless porpoise is designated as a marine protected species in our country and is under protection,” and added, “We urge prompt reporting to the maritime police if a carcass is found on the coast or if caught in fishing nets during operations.”

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil panax33@asiae.co.kr