A pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. (image: National Institute of Fisheries Science)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Wednesday that it has come up with new measures and policies to protect the Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins that live near Jeju Island.
The dolphins were designated as a protected species in 2012. Some 120 of them are known to reside near the coast of Jeju Island.
With a rising number of ships going on ‘dolphin tours’ near the Jeju coast, concerns have been raised that the dolphins are increasingly at risk.
In response, the ministry introduced a new policy that requires ships to slow down when they are within 300 meters of dolphins, and maintain a distance of at least 50 meters at all times.
In addition, no more than three ships are allowed to surround the dolphins simultaneously.
Tourism agencies are now required to place the said instructions on the ships, and notify all passengers through a verbal announcement.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
