Mass Death of Cuttlefish at Gangwon Goseong Beach... What Happened?

Expert: "Due to Upwelling Caused by Seawater Overturning"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A mass death of shortfin squids, which live in deep waters at depths of 200 to 600 meters, was found on a beach in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province.

According to residents and tourists in Bongpo-ri, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, a huge amount of small squids was discovered on the white sand beach on the 14th.

At around 4 a.m., small squids measuring 4 to 5 cm were washed ashore along a 500-meter stretch of white sand beach from Bongpo Port to near Cheongganjeong.

Residents and tourists who found them said, "This is the first time we have seen such a sight," expressing their amazement. Some residents were picking up baskets full of squids.

In particular, the beach in front of Cheongganjeong Condo had a larger concentration of squids than other places.

The squids found that day were not squid juveniles but shortfin squids, known to live in deep waters and only grow to about 7 cm even when fully grown.

This is not the first time a mass of shortfin squids has appeared on the East Coast of Gangwon.

A similar case occurred at Sokcho Beach in December 2013.

Experts explain this phenomenon by saying, "Due to the upwelling phenomenon where seawater is overturned from top to bottom, it is highly likely that the squids could not withstand the sudden changes in water temperature and atmospheric pressure, died, and were washed ashore."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.