poaching Archives | Be Korea-savvy
Minke Whales Sell for High Prices Despite Ban

Minke Whales Sell for High Prices Despite Ban

POHANG, South Korea, March 23 (Korea Bizwire) – Although poaching whales is illegal in South Korea, exceptions are made for incidental catch of the sea mammals, including minke whales.  According to the Cetacean Research Center, 352 minke whales were caught in South Korean waters from 2012 to 2016 as a result of incidental catch. The [...]

Finless Porpoise Under Siege in Korean Seas

Finless Porpoise Under Siege in Korean Seas

ULSAN, Jan. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean waters have become dangerous habitat for finless porpoises, sometimes referred to in Korea as “smiling whales” for their grinning faces.  According to the Ulsan Coast Guard, a total of 9,710 whales died in the five-year period from 2011 to 2015 from either illegal poaching or unintended catch in [...]

Korean Fishermen Continue Brutal Whale Hunts Despite International Ban

Korean Fishermen Continue Brutal Whale Hunts Despite International Ban

SEOUL, May 26 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean poachers have been relentlessly pursuing minke whales, called the ‘Lotto of Oceans’ by fishermen, due to the stratospheric prices they often fetch – a single minke whale can sell for between 30 million won and 60 million won. Market prices for minke whales have skyrocketed since 1986, when the [...]