BUSAN — Government agencies, the local government and research institutions have joined forces to launch a third operation to guide "Bukangi," a shark that has lingered for more than a month in an artificial channel at Busan's North Port waterfront park, safely back to the open sea. With falling water temperatures raising the risk that the shark could die, the rescue operation is mobilizing advanced equipment and professional divers.
According to the Busan Metropolitan Government, the city and other agencies completed the installation of blocking nets and pontoons — floating platforms used for work on the water — in the area between the fifth and sixth footbridges of the North Port waterfront park channel on the morning of the 21st, and began the operation in earnest. The work is being directed by the Marine Ecology Division of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea.
Bukangi, a 3-meter dusky shark, has drawn wide attention since it was first spotted in the waterfront park channel on Sept. 18, with cumulative visitors to the site surpassing 1.6 million. But no feeding activity has been observed while the shark has remained in the channel, and with a sharp drop in air and water temperatures forecast from the 22nd, concerns have grown that its health could deteriorate and that it could die. Authorities judged the 21st, when no cruise ships are scheduled to operate, as the best time for the operation.
A first attempt on Sept. 29 using jets of water from pumps and a second net-based attempt on Oct. 2 both failed because of problems such as nets snagging on obstacles on the channel floor.
The third operation applies more sophisticated methods to overcome the limits of the terrain. On the afternoon of the 20th, sonar equipment and underwater drones were deployed to complete a survey of the seabed topography and obstacles at the channel entrance. The operation moves a blocking net fixed to a barge-type pontoon toward the open sea, cutting off any route for the shark to turn back. Along with personnel stationed on the pontoon, professional divers are entering the water to respond immediately to unexpected situations such as the net becoming snagged.
At the site, officials from research institutions are monitoring Bukangi's behavior and health in real time and adjusting the pace of the work if any abnormal signs appear. Busan city, police and the coast guard are also restricting access to the fifth and sixth footbridges and key work zones and focusing on safety management at the scene.
"Considering the shark's health and the change in water temperature, a swift and safe guidance to the open sea is urgent," Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said. "We will do everything we can to make sure Bukangi returns safely to the sea."