The Cetacean Research Institute of NIFS announced that it was young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) that the institute officially confirmed in site surveys subject to the dolphins consistently appearing in the sea areas adjacent to Gangneung Port. 

The young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is known to be a sedentary strain that approximately 120 dolphins reside in Jeju coastal areas. So this was the first time that they were spotted in sea areas other than Jeju Island. 

They display behaviors like swimming by to follow certain fishing vessels or acting like they are in communion with people, which is attributed to their high curiosity and mild temper. These characteristics, however, raise concerns over their safety because they can be tangled in the ghost gears (discarded fishing lines and nets) and be injured by vessel propeller. 

The research institute emphasized that people should be careful not to come closer or yell out to the dolphin for interaction as these behaviors could make their wildness and survival rates decline. The researchers also urged that people not feed the dolphin under the waters, which is absolutely unacceptable. 

The president of NIFS said, “The fishing vessels within the sea areas adjacent to Gangneung Port should slow down upon finding Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) and keep the distance for satety. When an emergency happens, it is recommended to follow the Marine Mammal Release Guidelines distributed by NIFS.”