A '71 Million Won' Catch in the Net... 7.3m 'Lottery of the Sea' Minke Whale Accidentally Caught Off Ulsan

3.2-Ton Male Whale Auctioned for 71 Million Won

A 7.3-meter-long minke whale was accidentally caught in a fishing net near Bangojin Port in Dong-gu, Ulsan.

According to the Ulsan Coast Guard on July 25, around 7:30 p.m. the previous day, Captain A, a man in his 60s, was working on his fishing boat about 37 kilometers southeast of Bangojin Port. While pulling up the fishing gear, he discovered that a minke whale had been caught and immediately reported the incident to the Bangojin police substation. The whale was identified as a male minke whale, measuring 7.3 meters in length, 3 meters in circumference, and weighing approximately 3.2 tons.

Minke whale discovered off the coast of Bangojin, Ulsan. Photo provided by Ulsan Coast Guard, Yonhap News Agency

The Coast Guard conducted an inspection using metal detectors and other methods, but found no signs of illegal hunting such as harpoon or spear marks. As a result, the Coast Guard issued Captain A a cetacean handling certificate. The minke whale was sold for 71 million won at the Bangojin Suhyup fish market.

Those found illegally hunting whales are subject to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won under relevant laws such as the Fisheries Act. However, minke whales that are discovered dead after being caught in nets are not classified as marine protected species in Korea. If caught dead in a net, they can be sold for large sums, earning the nickname "lottery of the sea."

Because minke whales are not classified as marine protected species, their sale at fish markets is permitted. If a whale is accidentally caught, the owner may receive a handling certificate from the Coast Guard, which allows for consignment sales through a fisheries cooperative. However, if a whale is found beached or drifting and not caught in a net, it must be disposed of and cannot be distributed or sold, according to the Notice on the Conservation and Management of Whale Resources.

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