Warming East Sea waters attract sharks and jellyfish

The waters off South Korea's coast are experiencing an unusual influx of marine life, including sharks and jellyfish, as rising sea temperatures linked to climate change alter local ecosystems. Traditionally cooler waters of the East Sea are now seeing an increase in species typically found in warmer southern regions.

Data from the National Institute of Fisheries Science reveals that the average surface water temperature in Korean seas during the first half of this year hit a record 17.17 degrees Celsius. This marks the highest average in 26 years, surpassing previous records and indicating a significant warming trend. The current temperature is 1.17 degrees higher than last year and 0.52 degrees higher than the previous record set in 2020.

This warming phenomenon is directly contributing to the increased presence of large sharks along the East Coast. In the first half of this year, 46 large sharks were sighted, a stark 3.8-fold increase compared to the 12 sightings during the same period last year. Species identified include the blue shark and the shortfin mako shark, signaling a notable shift in marine biodiversity and raising concerns for public safety during the peak summer vacation season.