NIFS announced that it affirmed the distribution of a fairly large number of endangered cetacean species (around 50 of fin whale, over 100 of sperm whale) in the East Sea, through its research on cetaceans in Korean seas 2023.

Speaking of fin whale and sperm whale, they were frequently found in Korean seas in the past. In the 1970s, however, they became endangered species due to over-hunting, which led to the ban on whaling. Since then, only a few was found from time to time.

Through the research, in particular, the number of finless porpoise in the South and West Sea was counted for the first time. It turned out that 4,500 finless porpoise are distributed in the coastal areas between Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do and Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do, which is the largest number estimated to date.

In addition, it turned out that the most common cetacean in Korean seas are fin whale in the East Sea and finless porpoise in the West and South Sea. On top of that, major sea mammals habitating in Korean seas are mink whale, seal, and pacific white-sided dolphin.

The Cetacean Research Institute of NIFS is conducting research on cetacean in Korean seas to identify the number of population of sea mammals including cetacean and their ranges, using R/V, aircraft, etc.