The shark known as 'Bukan,' which had been living in an artificial canal at Busan's North Port waterfront park for over a month, is believed to have possibly swum out to the open sea.
According to Yonhap News and relevant agencies including the National Fisheries Research Institute, there have been no reports of sightings of Bukan in the waters off North Port.
Bukan exited the canal during a guiding operation on October 21. It was spotted near Pier 1 and the International Passenger Terminal but has not been seen since October 27.
Experts suggest that if Bukan is not sighted for about a week, it is likely to have moved out to the open sea. Even if it is still lurking in the waters off North Port, it is expected to head out to the open sea soon.
The surface water temperature off North Port has dropped to between 18 and 19 degrees Celsius, which is believed to be a factor in Bukan's disappearance. Considering that the optimal temperature range for shark habitats is between 18 and 26 degrees Celsius, the current conditions may be at the lower limit.
Authorities, who had previously failed twice to guide Bukan out of the canal, initiated a third guiding operation on October 21, anticipating this change in conditions. They hoped that by releasing Bukan into the canal when the water temperature was relatively higher, it would adapt to the new environment and eventually swim out to the open sea as temperatures approached the lower limit.
However, authorities plan to maintain the multiple barriers set up to prevent Bukan from re-entering the canal for the time being. They are expected to review the removal of the barriers about a month after Bukan left the canal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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