Threatening Navigation Detected in Jeju Coastal Waters
Signs of Mouth and Fin Amputations
Marine Animal Damage Appearing in the Sea
Individuals operating jet skis in the waters of Jeju, approaching the endangered Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins dangerously close and threatening the dolphins, have been caught by the Coast Guard.
On the 21st, the Seogwipo Coast Guard announced that they are investigating six people, including Mr. A (38), who on the previous day around 5 p.m. were each riding jet skis near Sindopo-gu, Seogwipo City, violating speed regulations and approaching within 10 meters of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, thereby disturbing the movement of the dolphin group.
On the morning of the 17th of last month, a southern bottlenose dolphin with its snout and dorsal fin cut off was swimming around a dolphin tour boat in the sea off Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, which can be seen along the coast of Jeju Island, was designated as a marine protected species in 2012. It is a marine mammal observed year-round along Jeju’s coast, with an estimated population of about 110 individuals currently residing there.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that this is the first case caught since the Marine Ecosystem Act amendment was applied starting from the 19th of last month to protect these dolphins.
On September 27th last year, the National Assembly passed the “Partial Amendment to the Act on the Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems,” which includes provisions for fines related to violations of regulations on boat tours of Jeju’s Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. This amendment has been in full effect since the 20th of last month.
According to the Marine Ecosystem Act, vessels observing the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins must reduce speed to 10 knots or less when within 750 meters to 1.5 kilometers of the dolphins, and to 5 knots or less when within 300 to 750 meters.
In particular, within 300 meters, the vessel’s propeller must be stopped, and vessels are prohibited from approaching within 50 meters of the dolphins. Violations of these regulations can result in fines of up to 2 million KRW.
On the afternoon of the 20th, those who threatened a group of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins while riding jet skis near the Shindopo-gu area of Seogwipo City. [Photo by Seogwipo Maritime Police Station]
Earlier in April, a bottlenose dolphin with a bluntly cut fin and snout was spotted in the waters off Seogwipo, Jeju. It is unusual to see a dolphin with a cut snout, and it is presumed to have been caused by dolphin tour boats.
A Coast Guard official stated, “When touring or observing dolphins, you must never approach within 50 meters,” and added, “If you witness any violations, please report them immediately to the Coast Guard and help protect the dolphins.”
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