South Korea Designates Killer Whale As A Protected Species

Killer Whale illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Christopher Michel)

JAKARTA - South Korea's Ministry of Maritime Affairs declared killer whales a protected species in the country, Monday, May 24. This announcement is in line with tightened global environmental regulations.

"The move is in line with efforts to meet the requirements of the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act, which is centered on strengthening the protection of animals, including dolphins and whales, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

The United States is expected to check whether South Korea's efforts to protect marine mammals meet its standards in November. Countries that fail to meet these requirements may not be able to export fishery products to Uncle Sam's country starting in 2023.

South Korea also plans to make efforts to reduce the number of inadvertently caught marine mammals, by promoting the use of bycatch reduction devices.

The country said it would hold a meeting of experts on May 25 to share details about the plan.

Earlier this month, South Korea's Ministry of Maritime Affairs launched a series of measures to better protect whales, halting illegal whaling activities.

All whales caught illegally will be exterminated. Previously, hunted whales were caught by local authorities and then sold to the public.

In addition, whales found on land will also be prohibited from being sold and can only be used for educational and research purposes.