This photo from the Jeju National University Dolphin Research Team shows a dolphin calf caught in a waste net in wasters off Jeju Island. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, South Korea, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — Maritime authorities have begun efforts to rescue a baby dolphin found caught in a discarded fishing net in wasters off Jeju Island, officials here said Wednesday.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin calf less than one year old was first spotted swimming with a waste net stuck on its tail in waters off the southern resort island in early November last year.
On Wednesday, more than two months later, the animal was again seen remaining in the same dangerous condition in the sea off Daejeong-eup in the southern Jeju city of Seogwipo, according to the Jeju National University Dolphin Research Team.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is a protected marine animal living off the coast of Jeju.
The baby dolphin appears to have become more sluggish than before and can be put in serious danger if the waste net about 1.5 to 2 meters in length gets caught on a reef, the university team said.
The team has reported the situation to the Jeju provincial government and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, prompting them to begin searching for ways to rescue the dolphin.
“We’re cooperating with the maritime ministry to carefully seek ways to rescue the baby dolphin. Various options are under consideration because any artificial rescue attempt could injure the dolphin,” said an official at the Jeju government.
Experts are concerned that the thin waste net appears to gradually dig into the dolphin calf’s flesh every time it swims and can even cut off its tail.
They also say the dolphin may become unable to move if the waste net gathers more seaweed, becomes heavier and gets caught on reefs.
(Yonhap)
