Report of Shark Sighting in Pohang... A Type of 'Cheongsangari' Known for Aggression and Attacking Humans

"Aggressive Carnivorous Fish Attacks Humans"
Coast Guard Urges Caution for Water Leisure Tourists

A report was received of a shark sighting off the coast of Pohang, Gyeongbuk. The Coast Guard has urged fishing communities to be cautious.

The Pohang Maritime Police Station announced on the 9th at 1 p.m. that a fishing boat captain reported seeing a shark. The captain filmed a 2 to 3-meter-long shark circling the vessel about 3.7 km northwest of Guman Port in Nam-gu, Pohang City, at 9:30 p.m. on the 8th, and provided the footage to the Pohang Police Substation after returning to port.

Shark spotted off the coast of Pohang.
[Photo by Pohang Coast Guard]

The Pohang Police Substation consulted the National Institute of Fisheries Science regarding the photo and was informed that it was a type of blue shark. Blue sharks are carnivorous fish that prey on species such as sea bass, herring, and tuna, and are known to be aggressive and may attack humans.

Accordingly, the Coast Guard shared the shark sighting information with related organizations including Pohang City Hall, Gyeongju City Hall, and the Fisheries Technology Center. The information was also shared with each police substation and patrol vessels to help fishing communities and water leisure activity participants stay informed.

A Coast Guard official stated, "On the 6th, a sevengill shark was found dead, caught in a net, off the eastern sea near Imwon Port in Samcheok City, Gangwon Province. The next day, on the 7th, a shark presumed to be a blue shark was sighted by the Coast Guard during a maritime patrol east of Gwangjin Port in Samcheok City."

He added, "As shark sightings continue, fishermen and leisure activity participants visiting the sea are urged to exercise special caution."