[News Today] More sharks appear in East Sea

[LEAD]

A three-meter shortfin mako shark was caught in a fishing net off the coast of Uljin in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Even before the peak summer season, sharks are being spotted more frequently in the East Sea. Experts point to rising sea temperatures as a key reason, with sharks moving north in search of prey.

[REPORT]

A shark carcass with its sharp teeth exposed is hanging from a ship crane.

It is a shortfin mako shark caught in a fishing net off the coast of Uljin-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

It is over three meters long and weighs up to 170 kilograms.

Kim Sang-gil / Ship owner

About five have been caught this year and they are caught every year, likely after following fish into the nets.

Fourteen sharks have been caught in the East Sea so far this year.

It is the largest number recorded since compilation of related statistics began two years ago.

Frequent shark sightings are mainly attributed to rising sea temperatures.

As warm-current fish increase, sharks are also moving north following their prey.

The water temperature in the East Sea last month was 2.2 degrees Celsius higher than usual.

It is predicted that more sharks will appear in the summer with the temperature rising further.

Kim Maeng-jin / Nat’l Institute of Fisheries Science

Warmer waters are driving more mako sharks into coastal areas to feed.

Experts advise avoiding swimming from dusk to dawn, when sharks are most active, and to never provoke a shark if spotted and report it immediately.