Living Fin Whale Discovered in the East Sea After 42 Years

Endangered Species, Second Largest After the Blue Whale on Earth
National Institute of Fisheries Science: "Capture Record Exists in Literature from 42 Years Ago"

North Atlantic right whale.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Junran] A live North Pacific right whale was discovered in the East Sea for the first time in 42 years. On the 18th, the National Institute of Fisheries Science announced that during a whale observation survey in the East Sea, they found 1,639 whales from 24 groups of 6 species, including the North Pacific right whale. Among them, there were a total of 6 North Pacific right whales from 4 groups.

This survey was a visual observation conducted over 35 days starting in September to find whales inhabiting the East Sea in autumn. Using ships and aircraft, whales were observed at sea, and species classification, distribution, ecology, and population estimates were made.

Although North Pacific right whales have been caught incidentally in the East Sea before, this is the first time since the National Institute of Fisheries Science began whale visual surveys in 1999 that live North Pacific right whales have been captured on camera. A representative from the National Institute of Fisheries Science said, "There are records in literature that North Pacific right whales were caught in the East Sea 42 years ago when whaling was still possible," adding, "This can be seen as the first discovery of live North Pacific right whales in 42 years."

The North Pacific right whale is an internationally endangered species and is the second largest whale after the blue whale, the largest animal on Earth. Its body length reaches about 23 meters, and its lifespan is approximately 100 years. It is distributed throughout all oceans, avoiding warm areas and preferring deep waters.

Meanwhile, during the spring survey in the first half of this year, 8 large whales including sperm whales and humpback whales were found. This autumn, twice as many, 16 whales, were discovered, and the discovery rate per survey distance (number of whales/survey distance) was about twice as high. Choi Seokgwan, director of the Whale Research Center at the National Institute of Fisheries Science, said, "Capturing live North Pacific right whales on camera for the first time during the autumn East Sea visual survey is very meaningful," and added, "We will further devote ourselves to whale survey activities and research for protection in the East Sea going forward."

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