Jeju Island, known for its beautiful scenery and rich marine life, is now facing dual challenges: the alarming mortality rates of local dolphins and the mystery surrounding missing Vietnamese tourists.
Dolphins in Peril
The coastal waters around Jeju have long been home to about 120 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, classified as endangered. Sadly, this year has seen a stark increase in dolphin calf fatalities with 10 reported deaths—an alarming rise from just one last year. Experts are concerned that both pollution and the pressure from tourism are contributing factors.
- Tourists engage in dolphin-watching tours, which increase boat traffic.
- Many calves die shortly after birth; the causes are under investigation.
- Authorities have laws requiring tourist boats to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from dolphins, but experts argue this is insufficient.
According to Oh Seung-mok from Docu Jeju, the stress from the boat noise can lead to dangerous situations for these intelligent animals. Dolphins rely on echolocation, and excessive noise can make it hard for them to navigate.
Tourism and Environmental Impact
Operators, like Carl Kim from Gimnyeong Yacht Tours, argue that the marine environment has changed significantly due to pollution. Many boats maintain they follow guidelines, but competition draws them closer to the dolphins, which in turn disrupts their hunting behaviour.
Missing Vietnamese Tourists
In a startling turn of events, 38 Vietnamese tourists have gone missing during their stay on Jeju Island, drawing concerns about illegal residency attempts. This group was part of a larger entourage that arrived on 14 November 2024.
- They did not board their scheduled flight back to Vietnam on 17 November.
- Under a visa waiver, tourists can stay for up to 30 days on Jeju but cannot venture to the mainland without a valid visa.
Authorities are currently analysing CCTV footage to trace the movements of the missing tourists. If they remain on the island past 14 December, they will be classified as illegal residents. This is not an isolated incident; similar occurrences involving tourists attempting to take illegal jobs have been reported previously.
As the island grapples with these significant issues, experts and local authorities stress the need for urgent measures to protect its unique marine life while ensuring the safety and legality of tourists.