Shark sightings off east coast nearly quadruple as waters warm

Shark sightings off Korea's east coast have nearly quadrupled this year as climate change pushes more of the predators into Korean waters, prompting coastal municipal authorities to step up beach safety measures.

According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), 46 large sharks were spotted off the east coast from January to June this year, compared with 12 in the same period last year.

Shortfin mako sharks, rated “high” for the risk of attack in the agency's shark classification guide, were the most common, with 23 sightings.

The surge in shark sightings tracks a broader warming trend in Korean waters.

As temperatures climb, warm-water fish move further north along the east coast, and the large sharks that prey on them follow.

The average sea surface temperature around the Korean Peninsula from January to June this year was 17.17 degrees Celsius, the highest level in 26 years.

That marks an increase of 1.17 degrees from last year and 0.52 degrees from the previous record set in 2020, according to NIFS.

Along the east coast, the average sea surface temperature from Apr ...