"Why Was This Caught...Could It Be a Sign of a Major Earthquake?" The 'Legendary Deep-Sea Fish' Appears off the Coast of Busan

Caught Near Yongho Bay in Busan
Three Adult Men Battled for 15 Minutes to Reel It In

A giant sailfin snapper recently caught by a fishing boat in Busan. Not related to the main text. KNN News capture

A sailfin snapper, known as a "legendary deep-sea fish," has been caught off the coast of Busan.

According to Yonhap News on June 2, at around 5:30 a.m. the previous day, a fishing boat from the Yongho Fishing Village Cooperative led by Captain Kim Kwanghyo caught a sailfin snapper near Yongho Bay in Busan.

The sailfin snapper is a large species that inhabits deep waters at depths of around 500 meters. It is so rare in South Korea that only about 30 are caught each year, earning it the nickname "legendary deep-sea fish" that only those favored by the Dragon King are said to catch.

The sailfin snapper caught this time measured 164 cm in length and weighed 77 kg.

Captain Kim explained, "It took three adult men gripping the fishing rod with all their strength, and after wrestling with it for 15 minutes, we were finally able to catch it," describing the situation at the time.

However, experts warn that the liver of the sailfin snapper can cause acute vitamin A poisoning, leading to symptoms such as headaches and vomiting, and advise caution when consuming it.

Meanwhile, as rare deep-sea fish have been caught in succession recently, some have raised questions about a possible connection with the recent earthquake in Japan. However, experts state that such claims have not been scientifically proven.

An official from the National Institute of Fisheries Science said, "There is no scientific evidence that the appearance of deep-sea species is related to earthquakes," and added, "It is difficult to consider there to be a connection with earthquakes."

However, due to climate change, the activity depth and spawning season of deep-sea species may have shifted, so there is a growing need for ongoing observation of how changes in the marine environment are affecting the ecosystem.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.