After treatment, marine animals will immediately be returned to nature. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Manuals for the systematic and safe rescue of whales and turtles that have been washed ashore or caught in nets have been created for the first time in South Korea.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has produced a draft of a Manual for the Rescue and Treatment of Marine Animals, which includes such information, and officials have begun listening to opinions from related agencies.
The manual deals with procedures that rescue agencies must perform from the initial report of an incident to processing.
Marine animals found on the beach require the immediate attention of 119 services or nearby maritime police for rescue, as they are often exhausted or are struggling due to illness.
The manual states that “the stranded animals should not be forced to return to the sea.”
The manual also stressed that “people or dogs should be kept away until the rescue team arrives, and that the individual responsible for the report as well as bystanders should also be quiet and keep the animal as calm as possible.”
The 119 service or the Coast Guard, which receive initial reports, will request the dispatch of 10 of the designated marine animal rescue and treatment agencies, including Seoul Grand Park, Lotte World Aquarium and the National Maritime Museum of Maritime Affairs.
Upon arrival at the site, the rescue and treatment teams will give emergency medical treatment depending on the condition of the injury before deciding whether to transfer the animal.
After treatment, marine animals will immediately be returned to nature, but the rescue team should choose an environment similar to that of the rescued waters or habitats for the animals.
On the other hand, if resuscitation of a marine animal is deemed to be unlikely, the minister of Oceans and Fisheries can allow euthanasia by collecting opinions from the protection committee.
Meanwhile, a total of 67 marine animals were rescued between 2014 and September of this year.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
