Korean Peninsula is now protected by electric device repelling sharks

On top left is a shark-repelling device which Haeundae Beach in Busan will adopt next month, while top right is a scuba diver who has the device attached to his ankle. Bottom is an image of the device attached to a buoy. / Yonhap

Haeundae Beach in Busan, one of the nation's most famous summer vacation destinations, will use a device to drive away sharks, for the first time in Korea.

The measure comes after the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute warned of great white sharks off the coast here between May and September when the warm current flows to the Korean Peninsula.

The Busan Metropolitan City Fire Department said Monday that it will buy the shark repelling device from Australia and use it at the beach, which opens July 1.

``A shark catches preys by feeling a weak electric current from them. The device emits a very strong electric pulse to disorientate sharks,'' an official of the department said.

The 950-gram device can be attached to scuba diving gear apparatus, jet skis or buoys.

With batteries, it gives out electric pulses with about a 5-meter radius for six to seven hours, and can be used up to 45 meters below sea level.

The department will adopt three of the devices this year and attach them to patrol jet skis.

``Haeundae has never had a shark sighting before, but there are chances of it because of the rise in seawater temperatures caused by global warming,'' the official said.

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr