Stuck shark in Busan finally returns to sea

A shark that became a sensation after spending more than a month in a canal in the South Korean port city of Busan was yesterday guided back into the open sea, following two failed rescue attempts, the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.

The shark, affectionately nicknamed “Bukhangi,” was first spotted in a narrow waterway at North Port on Sept. 18.

More than 1.6 million people visited the waterfront park through Tuesday to catch a glimpse of the animal, the Busan Infrastructure Corp said.

People watch a shark nicknamed “Bukhangi” as authorities attempt to lead it out of a canal in Busan, South Korea, yesterday.

Photo: Reuters

The South Korean National Institute of Fisheries Science confirmed that Bukhangi is a female dusky shark measuring about 3m in length.

The species, which inhabits tropical, subtropical and temperate waters, is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The shark’s prolonged stay drew particular attention because of the unusual location. The narrow canal is close to high-rise buildings and a major high-speed rail station in the heart of Busan.

Authorities on Sept. 29 first attempted to guide the shark toward the sea using vessels equipped with water jets, but the shark swam away and remained in the canal.

A second attempt on Oct. 2 involved a 50m-long and 6.8m-high net, but rescuers had to end the operation after the net was caught on rocks on the canal floor.

For yesterday’s attempt, authorities used a net attached to floating platforms, along with divers, to overcome difficulties posed by the canal’s underwater terrain and varying depths.

Workers moved the net toward the open sea while preventing the shark from swimming back into the canal. Drones were also mobilized to track its movements.

Busan livestreamed the operation as curious onlookers gathered along the canal for another glimpse of the shark.

The shark has been celebrated for its unexpected boost to the local economy, with Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo thanking it for generating publicity he said would otherwise have cost “trillions.”

However, environmental groups said the shark’s appearance should be seen as a warning of the climate crisis, rather than a spectacle or economic boost.

They linked its arrival to warming seas, saying rising temperatures are pushing warm-water fish northward — and subtropical sharks in pursuit.