"Absolutely Do Not Do This to the Busan Shark"...Expert Explains the Warning

Eyewitness accounts of citizens attempting to throw raw chicken as food spread online
"Such actions could provoke the shark," experts warn

A large shark, measuring up to 3 meters in length, has appeared in the artificial waterway of the North Port Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, drawing crowds from across the country. Experts have issued warnings that people should avoid provoking the shark at close range or throwing food to it.

Citizens are capturing on camera the shark that appeared in the waterway of Busanhang North Port Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Yoon, a shark expert and professor at the Department of Marine Bio-Resources at Kunsan National University, stated in an interview with CBS Radio's 'News Show with Park Seongtae' on the 22nd that regarding this shark sighting, "It is believed that the shark entered the waterway while chasing prey during a hunting process."

He emphasized that the possibility of an attack on humans cannot be completely ruled out. Professor Choi pointed out that, although worldwide there are not many cases of shark-related human injuries, "Even if a shark does attack a person, in many cases it is because the person provoked the shark first." He added, "If you approach and provoke the shark, you could be attacked."

"There is enough food in a natural environment, so do not throw food"

Previously, a witness account spread on social media stating that a citizen tried to throw raw chicken to the shark but was stopped. Professor Choi explained, "It's much better not to throw food. Doing so can provoke the shark," adding, "In the wild, groups of silvertip sharks mainly eat fish and rarely eat meat or other items thrown by humans."

On the 20th, as a shark lost in the waterway of Busan Port North Port Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, continued to appear for the third day, citizens are waiting to watch it. Photo by Yonhap News

He also expressed a negative opinion about giving fish such as sardines as food. Professor Choi said, "In this environment, sharks don't eat dead prey. If it gets really hungry later on, it might eat such things, but right now, it is not in a situation where there is no food in the waterway. There is enough food available naturally at this moment," he stressed.

'Shark boom': 20,000 visit North Port Waterfront Park in Busan over the weekend, 4 to 5 times the usual number

The shark was first observed at 8:57 a.m. on the 18th. After the initial report, the Coast Guard responded and attempted removal operations, but the shark did not leave the waterway. Even when a shark deterrent was used, it did not have much effect. Based on a recommendation from the National Institute of Fisheries Science that aggressive removal attempts could increase the shark’s aggressiveness, the Coast Guard decided to withdraw and wait until the shark leaves by itself.

Due to the shark's appearance, the park is experiencing an unexpected surge in visitors. According to the Busan city government on the 22nd, nearly 20,000 people visited the waterfront park over the past weekend. On Saturday, the 19th, about 8,800 people visited, and about 10,000 people on Sunday, the 20th. Considering that the park usually sees an average of 2,000 visitors per weekend day, this is about 4 to 5 times the usual figure.

"Low likelihood of attacking people outside the water, but very dangerous if someone falls in"

The shark that appeared in the park's waterway has been identified as a silvertip shark, belonging to the Carcharhinidae family. This species is widely distributed across subtropical waters in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, including all seas around Korea, and the shark in the park is presumed to be a fully grown adult. The silvertip shark is classified as an aggressive species. Experts warn that although there is almost no risk of a shark attacking people who are outside the water, it would be very dangerous if someone were to enter or fall into the water to observe the shark.

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