Jongdal swimming with her mother after cutting the fishing line from her body (Image courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins)
JEJU, Aug. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – In a heartening turn of events off the coast of Jeju Island, South Korea, a young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin nicknamed Jongdal has been partially freed from a fishing line that had entangled its body for nearly a year.
The calf, first spotted in distress last November when it was about six months old, was successfully aided on August 16 by a dedicated rescue team comprising marine environmental group Hot Pink Dolphins, marine documentary director ‘Dolphin Man,’ and the Marine Animal Research and Conservation Institute (MARC).
According to Yonhap News Agency, the rescue team managed to cut the fishing line that had been tightly wrapped around the dolphin’s body from its beak to its tail. This intervention marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to save the young marine mammal.
Jongdal’s plight first came to light in early November 2023, when it was observed swimming in Jeju’s waters, entangled in fishing gear from its snout to its tail. The rescue team promptly alerted the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and received approval in January to commence rescue operations.
Jeju Dolphin Rescue Team (Hot Pink Dolphins) removing the fishing line from Jongdal’s body (Image courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins)
In their initial rescue attempt, the team provided emergency treatment by removing fishing line and attached seaweed from the dolphin’s tail fin. The removed line measured 2.5 meters in length and, including the seaweed, weighed 196 grams.
While this first intervention granted Jongdal more freedom of movement, fishing line remained around its mouth and body. Subsequent rescue attempts were unsuccessful until recent observations indicated a deterioration in the dolphin’s condition. On August 15, monitors noted that Jongdal was spending unusually long periods on the surface within a limited area.
Faced with this urgent situation, the rescue team and marine animal rescue institutions decided against capture. Instead, they chose to cut the fishing line constricting the dolphin’s body to improve its mobility.
“Jongdal couldn’t straighten its body due to the fishing line and was in a bent posture. The line was severely hampering its natural swimming motion,” a team member explained. “Immediately after cutting the line, Jongdal began swimming rapidly alongside its mother, breaking away from the area it had been circling for two days.”
While this intervention marks significant progress, fishing line and hooks remain on Jongdal’s beak and tail. The rescue team plans to continue monitoring the young dolphin’s condition and consult with marine animal rescue and treatment institutions regarding any necessary follow-up measures.
Dolphin Man director Lee Jung-joon holding the fishing line that was hanging from Jongdal’s tail in January. (Image source: Hot Pink Dolphins)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
