Sperm Whale Spotted in Gwangyang Bay... "Coastal Appearance Extremely Rare"

A 15-Meter Sperm Whale Spotted in the Shallow Waters of Gwangyang Port, Jeollanam-do
Authorities Step Up Coastal Monitoring

According to Yeosu Coast Guard Station on the 4th, a report was received at 9:48 a.m. that a large whale was near Songdo coastal area in Gwangyang Port. The photo shows the whale that appeared that day. Yeosu Coast Guard, Photo by Yonhap News

On the day the political landscape of the Korean Peninsula was turned upside down, another unusual scene unfolded along the coast of Gwangyang Bay. On the 4th, when President Yoon's dismissal was decided, a sperm whale measuring up to 15 meters appeared in the shallow waters of Gwangyang Port, Jeollanam-do.

According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science Whale Research Center and the Yeosu Coast Guard on the 7th, at around 9:48 a.m. on the 4th, a large whale about 15 meters long was discovered along the Songdo coast of Gwangyang Port. This whale, presumed to be a sperm whale, is the largest species among toothed whales.

The coast guard, together with a rescue team, guided the whale from the coast toward the open sea, and the whale disappeared into deeper waters at around 1:30 p.m. However, at around 6:30 p.m. on the same day, it returned to the coast and has remained in the waters near Gwangyang Port to this day.

Relevant authorities are checking whether the whale entered the coast due to injury or for another reason. At the time of discovery, there was a scratch on the whale's head, but its overall health appeared relatively good.

Currently, the whale is swimming in shallow waters about 2 meters deep, with about 4 meters of its back exposed above the surface. The maximum depth in the Gwangyang Port area is 13 meters, making it an unsuitable environment for a large whale to inhabit.

The Whale Research Center of the National Institute of Fisheries Science stated, "It is extremely rare for a living sperm whale to be found near the coast," and added, "There are no apparent abnormalities, but we are continuing to monitor the situation."

According to Yeosu Coast Guard Station on the 4th, a report was received at 9:48 a.m. that a large whale was near Songdo coastal area in Gwangyang Port. The photo shows the whale that appeared that day. Provided by Yeosu Coast Guard, Yonhap News Agency. Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard

The coast guard, Whale Research Center, and National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea are continuing to control nearby vessels and guide the whale back to the open sea.