Jeju Province Launches Dedicated Team
for Rescue and Protection of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins
Jeju Province has launched a dedicated team to rescue and protect the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin 'Haenguni', which became entangled in discarded fishing nets. Haenguni is a medium-sized dolphin, approximately 2 meters in length, and is estimated to be a juvenile around 6 to 7 years old.
On July 8, Jeju Province announced that it had held a meeting of an expert task force (TF) at Baekrok Hall in the provincial government building to discuss the rescue and protection of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Haenguni.
On June 9th, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin 'Haenguni' was spotted entangled in fishing gear. Provided by DocuJeju and Jeju National University Whale and Marine Life Conservation Research Center.
The meeting was attended by a total of 11 people, including the Vice Governor for Political Affairs (who served as the team leader), as well as experts in administration, marine ecology, veterinary medicine, and fishing gear and methods. A cooperative system was also established with relevant organizations such as the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, and Jeju National University.
During the meeting, the experts conducted a detailed analysis of Haenguni's condition after it was recently found with discarded fishing gear entangled around its tail off the coast of Gujwa-eup, and discussed strategies for rescue, treatment, and protection.
It was confirmed that Haenguni has been ranging widely between the eastern and western seas of Jeju. Since 2024, there have been four separate observations of Haenguni entangled in discarded fishing nets. The repeated threats posed by abandoned fishing gear indicate that a response is urgently needed.
At the meeting, various scenarios were discussed based on the previous case of another Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, 'Jongdali', which had also been entangled in discarded fishing gear. These scenarios included vessel approaches, the use of specialized equipment for capture, and release after treatment. The team also reviewed cooperation with the Korea Coast Guard to prevent safety accidents, as well as ways to involve private rescue experts.
The province plans to continue working closely with related organizations to systematically manage the entire process from rescue to treatment and release, while also strengthening plans for the collection of marine debris.
Earlier, Jongdali was found entangled in a fishing line in November 2023, and in August 2024, about 10 months later, the removal of part of the fishing line was successfully carried out. Provided by Hot Pink Dolphins
In Jongdali's case, after about 10 months of rescue efforts, the fishing line was successfully removed on August 17, 2024. However, after being found entangled in another fishing line on May 14, Jongdali has not been seen since. As Jongdali's mother, the dolphin 'Kimri', was observed with another group, it is presumed that Jongdali has died.
In response, the Jeju Dolphin Emergency Rescue Team warned that "a second Jongdali" could appear at any time and called on the government to take measures to prevent recurrence. The coastal waters off Noeulhaean-ro in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City, where Jongdali was frequently observed, are a major habitat for the protected Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, but indiscriminate rock fishing has been rampant. The team pointed out that fishing gear discarded or lost along the coast is left unattended and insisted that countermeasures are needed.
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