SEOUL: South Korean authorities began a fresh attempt on Wednesday to guide a shark that has become a viral sensation back to sea, as falling temperatures in the Busan canal where it is stranded raised concerns about its survival.
The dusky shark, affectionately nicknamed “Bukhangi” by fans, was spotted last month in an artificial waterway in the southeastern port city, with climate activists linking its appearance to climate change.
The three-metre shark, a species typically found in tropical waters, has since attracted a huge following, drawing more than 1.6 million people to the Busan canal to see it in person and providing an unexpected boost to the local economy.
South Korean authorities have twice tried unsuccessfully to guide Bukhangi back to sea, first using water jets and then nets. They launched a third attempt on Wednesday as the water grew colder.
“The operation began at 10 am this morning, and we are not entirely sure when it’s going to end, given our previous attempts were not successful,” an oceans ministry official told AFP.
Officials initially opted to wait for the shark to leave on its own, but growing concerns about its well-being prompted the third attempt, she added.
In a separate statement, the ministry said the limited depth of the water in the artificial waterway had also prompted authorities to proceed with the operation.
Busan authorities livestreamed the operation as curious onlookers gathered along the canal for another glimpse of the shark.
For Wednesday’s operation, authorities attached nets to floating pontoons, which would be moved gradually as the shark headed towards the open sea.
Once the shark passes, the nets will prevent it from returning to the waterway, they said.
The shark has also been celebrated for its unexpected boost to the local economy, with Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo thanking it for generating publicity that he said would otherwise have cost “trillions”.
However, environmental groups say the shark’s appearance should be viewed as a warning about the climate crisis rather than as a spectacle or an economic boost.
They attribute its arrival to warming seas, saying rising temperatures are pushing warm-water fish northwards, with subtropical sharks following in pursuit.