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Busan Metropolitan City to Launch Third Attempt to Guide Shark "Bukang-i" into Open Sea on October 21 in Joint Operation with Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Specialized Agencies

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will conduct a third joint operation on October 21 with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and other relevant agencies, including the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, to safely guide the shark known as "Bukang-i," currently staying in the scenic waterway at Busan North Port Waterfront Park, back into the open sea.

To prepare for the operation, representatives from ten relevant agencies, including Busan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Busan Port Authority, and the Busan Infrastructure Corporation, held a coordination meeting near Busan Station at 10 a.m. on October 20 to discuss detailed implementation plans and the responsibilities of each participating agency.

The operation will be overseen by the Marine Ecology Division of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, with relevant agencies working together to ensure the shark's safe passage into the open sea and maintain safety at the operation site.

The third attempt is being undertaken in consideration of assessments by specialized agencies that prompt action is necessary, given that the shark has not been observed feeding and its health may deteriorate as air and water temperatures decline.

October 21 was selected as the optimal date for the operation after considering several factors, particularly the absence of scheduled cruise ship operations that day and the sharp drop in air temperatures forecast from October 22.

The third operation will address limitations related to the waterway's topography and water depth identified during the first and second attempts by employing nets, pontoons (floating platforms used for operations on water), divers, and other equipment.

The operation is scheduled to begin with a preliminary survey on the afternoon of October 20, followed by equipment installation on the morning of October 21 and efforts to guide the shark into the open sea that afternoon.

On the afternoon of October 20, an advance survey of the underwater terrain and obstacles near the entrance to the waterway will be conducted using underwater sonar equipment, underwater drones, and other devices.

On the morning of October 21, guiding equipment, including barrier nets and pontoons, will be installed near Pedestrian Bridges No. 5 and 6, followed by a preliminary practice exercise. The operation to guide the shark into the open sea will begin as soon as on-site preparations are complete.

The operation will involve moving nets attached to pontoons toward the open sea to guide the shark in that direction, while blocking the area behind it to prevent it from returning to the inner section of the waterway.

Drones will also be used to monitor the shark's location and movements in real time, while divers will inspect underwater obstacles and the condition of the nets. The operation will be adjusted flexibly according to conditions at the site.

The operation will prioritize the shark's safety and health while also taking comprehensive measures to ensure visitor safety.

Specialized agencies, including the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, will direct the operation while monitoring the shark's behavior and health. If any abnormal signs are detected, the methods and pace of the operation will be adjusted accordingly.

Busan Metropolitan City will work with relevant organizations, including the Busan Port Authority, the Busan Infrastructure Corporation, the police, and the Korea Coast Guard, to strengthen visitor safety measures by restricting access to Pedestrian Bridges No. 5 and 6 and major operational areas, deploying safety personnel, and increasing on-site patrols.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo stated, "Given the shark's health and changing water temperatures, prompt action is necessary to guide it into the open sea. We will actively cooperate in this operation, which is being led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and specialized agencies."

He added, "We will do everything possible to ensure that Bukang-i returns safely to the sea. We also ask residents to refrain from any activities that could interfere with the operation and to fully cooperate with access restrictions and instructions from on-site safety personnel."