Jeju's dolphin 'Ssaen-dol' entangled in fishing line again

The plight of Ssaen-dol, the young bottlenose dolphin, continues to be a heartbreaking story for the people of Jeju. This intelligent creature, already a symbol of resilience after its harrowing entanglement with fishing nets earlier this year, has once again fallen victim to the dangers lurking in our waters. The fact that Ssaen-dol has been found ensnared in fishing line so soon after its previous ordeal is a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by marine debris.

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The young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Ssaen-dol, was found with fishing line wrapped around one of its pectoral fins off the coast of Jongdal-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, on the 5th. The left side is presumed to be its mother.

As reported by Hankyoreh, Ssaen-dol's initial rescue from a fishing net on March 19th was a moment of relief, but the cost was significant – the loss of its dorsal fin. Now, just 47 days later, the sight of fishing line wrapped around its chest fin is deeply concerning. This isn't just an isolated incident; it highlights a broader issue of marine pollution impacting the precious cetacean population around Jeju Island. We know that around 120 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins inhabit these waters, and sadly, cases like Jong-dal, another dolphin found entangled last year, are not uncommon.

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Ssaen-dol, who was freed from discarded nets a month ago, was found entangled in fishing line again.

While officials have stated that Ssaen-dol is currently able to swim and is not in immediate need of rescue, the situation demands constant vigilance. The formation of an emergency rescue task force is a necessary step, but it underscores the ongoing challenge of protecting these vulnerable animals. From our perspective here in Jeju, the international focus on conservation often overlooks the immediate, tangible threats faced by local wildlife due to human activity. The discarded nets and fishing lines are not abstract problems; they are daily dangers that endanger creatures like Ssaen-dol, creatures that are an integral part of our island's identity and ecosystem.

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I was somewhat relieved because Ssaen-dol, who was on the continuous observation list of the Jeju emergency rescue task force (TF) team, had recovered considerably through active movement and self-healing, but unfortunately, it suffered secondary damage.