INCHEON, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The Incheon Green Alliance announced on Monday that its Yellow Sea Seal Citizens’ Agency had observed 324 spotted seals, designated as a natural monument, off the coast of Baengnyeong Island, located far off the northwestern coast of South Korea.
This marks the largest observation of spotted seals since the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries initiated the spotted seal survey on Baengnyeong Island in 2006.
During this survey, 164 spotted seals were observed around Hanuibada Seal Rock and another 160 around Yeonbong Rock.
The Incheon Green Alliance highlighted that the use of drones contributed to the increased observation of spotted seals during the investigation process.
The organization explained that the higher accuracy of the investigation methods, rather than an actual increase in the number of spotted seals, resulted in the observation of more seals.
The number of spotted seals inhabiting the West Sea was confirmed to be around 8,000 in the 1940s. However, as of 2019, the population had declined to approximately 1,500 due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
Image credit: The Incheon Green Alliance / photonews@koreabizwire.com
