▲ Blue-lined octopus found on the coast of Busan Gijang
The subtropical blue-lined octopus, known to be highly toxic, has been found twice this year just off the coast of Busan.
In particular, both were discovered by the same young student, raising questions about the number of blue-lined octopus in the ocean, as well as anxiety among the vacationers.
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute said on Oct. 7 that the octopus that Mr. Park (15) had caught and reported was identified as a toxic blue-line octopus at Gaetbawi, Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan.
This has led to the discovery of two blue-capped octopus only offshore this year.
It was discovered earlier in June that Park collected dragonflies from the rocks and reported them.
Blue-lined octopus inhabits subtropical waters and is small in size and about 10cm in size.
However, the salivary glands contain 'tetrodotoxin', also known as blowfish poison, and can be dangerous if touched with bare hands.
When the toxic octopus is easily held in the hands of a young student and in the same student's hands, there is also concern that the object is already widely distributed off the captain.
Experts point to Kuroshio turbulence as a funnel for blue octopus.
Oh Seok-jin, Professor of Dept. of Coastal Ecology, Pukyong National University. For this weak octopus, we can assume that this turbulence has been loaded onto the conveyor belt. ”
"If you've been pushed into turbulence at the larval stage (before the adulthood, including eggs), it's likely that one or two individuals are found in the ocean," he said. There are many possibilities, and you will have to research it before you know it. "
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute says the blue-capped octopus may have been distributed in Korea.
Kim Yeong-hye, National Institute of Fisheries Science, National Institute of Fisheries and Fisheries, said, “As of 2014, the FAO data show that blue octopus is distributed in North Pacific including Korea, but it has not been found in Korea yet.” "But when I look at SCI papers from last year, it is confirmed that the original distribution of Korea is confirmed."
In addition, as a result of reviewing the data back to see the appearance, divers in Gyeongbuk Yeongdeok in 2008 reported that the octopus was poisonous and wanted to know what kind it was, and it was a blue line octopus. "In recent years, there has been a possibility that the discovery rate has risen as people's awareness of Jeju beach has increased, and there is a need for substantial ecological research."
(Photo: provided by National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Yonhap News)