"Deadly to Touch"... 'Blue-lined Octopus' with Toxicity 10 Times Cyanide Caught in Ulsan

6cm Octopus Caught by Fisherman
"Dangerous to Touch Barehanded, Tasting Prohibited"

Blue-lined octopus. / Photo by Ulsan Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A highly poisonous "Blue-lined Octopus," possessing toxicity more than 10 times that of cyanide, has been discovered off the coast of Ulsan.

According to the Ulsan Coast Guard, on the 25th at around 7:20 PM, an angler caught a 6cm-sized octopus in the waters in front of Hwaamchu Tetrapod, Bangojin, Dong-gu, Ulsan.

Upon verification by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, it was confirmed to be the highly poisonous "Blue-lined Octopus." This octopus is a species of the "Blue-ringed Octopus" found last May off the coast of Buk-gu and in October on the rocky shores of Seosaeng-myeon, and is known to primarily inhabit subtropical seas such as the South Pacific Ocean.

In particular, it contains a potent toxin (tetrodotoxin) more than 10 times stronger than cyanide, making it fatal to touch with bare hands, and it must never be consumed.

A Ulsan Coast Guard official urged, "Fishing vessels and vacationers should be especially cautious and report any sightings to the relevant authorities."

Meanwhile, the Ulsan Coast Guard has handed over the octopus to the National Institute of Fisheries Science for research purposes.

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