Imagine this: a gentle ocean breeze on your face, the rhythmic sound of waves, and a 4-year-old boy by your side, with his favorite book, “Ding-dong! Whale Encyclopedia,” tucked under his arm. He’s waiting, eyes wide with excitement, hoping to catch a glimpse of a whale appearing out of the blue. This is exactly what happened when my adorable nephew patiently waited by the sea with his book, hoping to see a humpback whale.
As he flipped through the pages and rattled off names like a mini marine biologist🤭, I found myself wondering, what kinds of whales do we see around Korea’s coast these days? One answer is clear: the Minke Whale. In April 2024, a baby minke whale swimming beside its mother was captured on video near Ulleungdo by NIFS(국립수산과학원). It was the first time the entire body of a minke whale was filmed in Korea! But as recent as August 2024, a tragic discovery was made—a 7-meter-long humpback whale was found deceased near Ulleungdo, bringing a somber note to Korea’s whale sightings this year. However, amidst these tales of living and lost whales, one story stood out: the Ghost Whale (Korean Gray Whale). This whale species, once common in Korean waters, has an almost mythical status today. Let’s dive into the fascinating history of these mysterious giants and their connection to Korea.
For your information, the 2024 Ulsan Whale Festival is being held from today, Thursday, September 26th, until Sunday, September 29th, in the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone in Nam-gu, Ulsan.
- ocean breeze - 해풍
- rhythmic - 리드미컬한, 규칙적인
- excitement - 흥분, 설렘
- glimpse - 얼핏 보기, 힐끗 보기
- humpback whale - 혹등고래
- flip through - 휙휙 넘기다
- marine biologist - 해양 생물학자
- Minke Whale - 밍크고래
- deceased - 사망한, 죽은
- somber - 우울한, 어두운
- mythical - 신화적인, 전설적인
- species - 종
- fascinating - 매혹적인, 흥미로운
The Ghost Whale: Korea's Enigmatic Ocean Dweller
The Ghost Whale is no ordinary whale—it’s a creature that has haunted Korea’s seas for centuries, silently swimming through the waters of the East and South Seas, often vanishing without a trace.
Historically, these whales were abundant around Ulsan’s Jangsaengpo, once the hub for Korea’s whale sightings. In fact, in 1912, American zoologist Roy C. Andrews made a groundbreaking discovery here: he saw a captured gray whale for the first time, introducing the world to the “Korean Gray Whale.” This was the only whale species named after Korea, making it a vital part of marine research.
Why the Name "Ghost Whale"?
The name “Ghost Whale” wasn’t given lightly. These whales had a habit of appearing out of nowhere and disappearing just as suddenly, leaving those who witnessed their movements baffled. With their stealthy swimming close to the shore and their sudden reappearances, they earned their ghostly reputation. Imagine the awe of ancient sailors, watching in disbelief as these giants surfaced, only to vanish back into the deep—a sight that must have seemed like a ghost playing tricks on them!
- enigmatic - 수수께끼 같은, 불가사의한
- dweller - 거주자, 서식자
- haunted - 괴롭힘을 당한, 오랫동안 계속된
- vanish - 사라지다
- without a trace - 흔적 없이
- abundant - 풍부한, 많이 존재하는
- hub - 중심지
- zoologist - 동물학자
- vital - 필수적인, 중요한
- stealthy - 은밀한, 남몰래 하는
- awe - 경외심
- vanish back into - 다시 사라지다, ~로 돌아가다
Ancient History and Whale Hunting
The relationship between whales and Korea stretches back to prehistoric times. The famous Ban-gu-dae Petroglyphs( National Treasure No. 285) in Ulsan, which date back nearly 7,000 years, depict scenes of whale hunting. These carvings show just how important whales were to the people of ancient Korea, who relied on them for food and resources. Whales were hunted using primitive methods, and the Ghost Whale was a prime target due to its proximity to the shore.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ulsan was a major center for whale hunting. Between 1890 and 1966, nearly 1,750 Ghost Whales were captured along Korea’s east coast, a staggering 97.4% of all the Ghost Whales caught during that period. This heavy hunting eventually led to their near extinction in Korean waters.
Vanishing Act: The Disappearance of the Ghost Whale
The last confirmed sighting of the Ghost Whale in Korea was in 1977 near Bang-ojin, Ulsan. After that, they seemed to vanish from Korean seas entirely. But they weren’t gone forever.
In the 1990s, hope returned when a group of Ghost Whales was spotted off the coast of Sakhalin, Russia. This discovery raised the possibility that some of the Ghost Whales that once swam in Korean waters might still be alive, migrating between Russia and the eastern Pacific. Today, only around 100 of these whales remain, making them one of the rarest species on Earth.
- prehistoric - 선사 시대의
- petroglyphs - 암각화
- primitive - 원시적인
- proximity - 가까움, 근접
- staggering - 충격적인, 놀라운
- extinction - 멸종
- vanishing act - 사라짐
- confirmed sighting - 확인된 목격
- migration - 이주, 이동
- eastern Pacific - 동태평양
- rarest - 가장 희귀한
Efforts to Protect the Ghost Whale
With the Ghost Whale on the brink of extinction, efforts to protect them have intensified. The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS 국립수산과학원) in Korea has been tracking the whales' migratory patterns and studying their habitat in the hopes of one day welcoming them back to Korean waters.
There was even a reward program for anyone who spots a Ghost Whale or captures footage of one. The NIFS encourages citizens to report sightings, offering monetary rewards to those who provide valuable information. This community-based approach helps raise awareness and increases the chances of protecting these whales.
Meanwhile, marine conservationists in Russia and the U.S. are working tirelessly to safeguard the small population of Ghost Whales near Sakhalin. Though their numbers are slowly increasing, it will take decades—if not longer—for their population to return to healthy levels.
The Importance of Whale Conservation
Whales have an average lifespan of 90 to 100 years, and female whales give birth every 2 to 3 years. This means that even under the best conditions, it will take a long time for populations to recover fully. In the meantime, it’s up to us to ensure that the oceans they swim in are as safe as possible.
Whales are more than just majestic creatures of the sea; they play a crucial role in the health of our oceans. As umbrella species, their survival indicates the overall well-being of marine ecosystems. When whale populations thrive, so does the ocean’s biodiversity. But when they decline, it’s a sign that something is seriously wrong with the marine environment.
Korea has made great strides in banning whale hunting, but accidental whale catches, known as bycatch, remain a significant issue. Between 2011 and 2017, more than 120,000 whales were caught as bycatch in Korean waters. This includes not only Ghost Whales but also other species like Minke and Humpback Whales. Dr. Park Kyeom-jun, a leading researcher at NIFS, emphasized that while protecting individual whales is important, we must also focus on creating a safer ocean environment overall. (Source : Hankook Ilbo)
- on the brink of - ~의 직전에
- extinction - 멸종
- migratory patterns - 이동 패턴
- capture footage - 영상을 담다
- raise awareness - 인식을 높이다
- community-based approach - 지역사회 기반 접근법
- conservationist - 환경 보호론자
- crucial role - 중대한 역할
- umbrella species - 우산종 (생태계 보호를 위한 핵심 종)
- biodiversity - 생물다양성
- decline - 감소하다
- strides - 진전, 발전
- bycatch - 혼획 (의도치 않게 잡힌 어획물)
Looking to the Future
The Ulsan Whale Festival happening this weekend from September 26th to 29th is a great reminder of the cultural and historical significance of whales in Korea. Visitors to the festival can learn more about whale conservation efforts, take part in interactive exhibits, and celebrate the rich marine life that once flourished around the Korean peninsula.
So, as my nephew sits by the shore, waiting for a whale that may never appear, I’m reminded of the delicate balance between humans and nature. The Ghost Whale may have vanished from our shores for now, but with continued conservation efforts, education, and a bit of patience, perhaps one day we’ll see these magnificent creatures return to Korea’s seas.
- reminder - 상기시키는 것
- historical significance - 역사적 중요성
- conservation efforts - 보호 노력
- interactive exhibits - 체험형 전시
- delicate balance - 섬세한 균형
- shores - 해안
- magnificent - 장엄한, 웅장한
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