The distributions of common minke whales observed in the East Sea in ten surveys in May of 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2020 were investigated using satellite sea surface temperature (SST) derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). Most of the minke whales were observed in the waters off the Korean Peninsula at 36-38.5° N, which is expected as the highly productive coastal upwelling area. Yet, no minke whale was observed in 2006 when a relatively larger scale coastal upwelling occurred with SST at 11°C. In 2016 and 2020, the warm water higher than 17°C extended widely in the area, and the minke whales were observed in the offshore waters, deeper than 1,000 m. 87.5% of minke whales observed in May appeared in the SST from 13 to 16°C, and they seemed to avoid relatively high temperatures. This suggests that optimum habitat water temperature of minke whales in May is 13-16°C. The SST in the area had risen 1.67°C from 2003 to 2021, and it was remarkably higher than in other parts of the surrounding areas. The future temperature rising may change the route and timing of the migration of minke whales in the study area.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic values of whale watching. The data used in this study were collected with 1,599 coastal tourists and the questionnaire included contingent valuation method questions. The results show that coastal tourists obtained the benefits of about KRW 15,970 from whale watching. Further analyses were conducted to check the differences of willingness to pay for whale watching based on the three variables as follows: previous experience of whale watching and participation intention in whale watching tourism, and previous experience of cruise trips. The results indicate that the respondents, who already participated or intended to participate in this type of tourism activity, were willing to pay higher than those, who did not participated or had no intention of participation, respectively. These results imply that whale watching could be a feasible alternative to the direct consumption of whale meat. Based on the study results, we provide policy and management-related implications for whale watching programs.

During the Joseon period, the East Sea would be called ‘Gyeonghae’ due to a large number of whales. In the Republic of Korea, whaling was locally permitted in 1946. However, the number drastically dropped because the hunting of the marine mammal had already been carried out in Russia, the U.S. and Japan since 1800s. Before a moratorium on commercial whaling was introduced by the International Whaling Commission(IWC) in 1986, whale populations in the East Sea had plunged. Furthermore, Korean gray whales and fin whales weren’t found anymore in that area. With the suspension, whale hunting was banned in Korea as well. Even so, accidentally caught whales have been allowed to be distributed on the market with respect for local food culture. With the establishment of Whale Museum and hosting of the 57th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission(IWC) at Jangsaengpo in 2005, whale tourism was facilitated in earnest. This whale tourism has been operated by Nam-gu Office and Nam-gu City Management Corporation in Ulsan. However, the popularity of whale tourism has increased a demand for whale meat. At the same time, there has been concern over decrease in whale populations because of illegal whaling. In addition, a conflict between the use and protection of whales has caused confusion in tourism identity. Actually, there is a serious doubt on the sustainability of whale tourism due to the decade-long deficit and excessive investments. This study attempts to define a concept of whale tourism and propose a future direction for the sustainable growth and development of Korea’s whale tourism industry after developing such comprehensive assessment indicators as a basic research for the introduction of sustainable whale tourism. To achieve the aim of this study, AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) was chosen as a main research tool and the factors were ranked by a comprehensive analysis of principal factors and detail factors. The current study showed the following results. First, ecological environment(0.430) was indicated the most important factor of whale tourism assessment indicators. Moreover, Population(0.1302), Action for Cetacean protection(0.1031), Governance(0.0898) were critical factors. On the other hand, Accommodations(0.0085), Whale meat(0.0088) were unimportant factors than others.

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the disputes concerning the 1982 moratorium on commercial whaling and the standing rights of other natural objects. Basically, the debates has arisen from the very nature of whales and other natural resources, that is to say, a mixed good of consumptive and non-use value. The debates between pro- and anti-moratorium states regarding whaling may not find out a peaceful solution without compromise or negotiation since any international institution for official settlements does not exist. If the pro-states could provide anti-states with a certain type of economic incentive which is side payments, anti-states might offer self-restraint not to whale. Here, it would be considered to apply Kaldor-Hicks compensation principles to this problem. Since 1965, some countries such as the United States and Japan began to recognize the standing right of natural objects. Even though rejected, the newt case in Korea was brought to the Supreme Court. If a standard of living increases significantly to a higher level(i.e. more than per capita income US$30,000), there would be a tendency of valuing natural objects and their beauty more and more highly.

한반도 연안에 서식하는 고래의 조직 내 미량금속 농도 잔류특성을 알아보기 위하여 2009년 동해안에서 혼획된 밍크고래의 간, 창자, 근육, 표피, 지방 내 미량금속(Cu, Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Hg) 농도를 측정하였다. 조직 내 Cu, Cd, Zn, Hg은 간에서 가장 높고 지방에서 가장 낮았다. 이와 대조적으로 As는 지방에서 가장 높은 농도를 보였으며, 근육에서 가장 낮은 농도를 나타내었다. 전반적으로 밍크고래의 조직 내 미량금속은 Zn > Cu > As > Pb > Hg > Cd의 순으로 높은 농도를 나타내었다. 성별에 따른 미량금속은 수컷은 간과 표피에 Cu, As, Zn을, 암컷은 창자와 근육에 Cu와 Pb을 더 효율적으로 축적하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 성숙도에 있어서는 간의 경우 Cd, 근육은 Hg, 표피와 지방은 As와 Hg, 창자는 Cd, As, Hg이 성숙한 개체에서 미성숙한 개체보다 상당히 높은 농도를 보였다.

To identify subspecies and stocks of minke whale meats purchased from Korean markets during 2005-2007, we first obtained their complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences, and compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), obtained from GenBank. From analyses with partial cytochrome b sequences (383 bp) and non-coding, partial control region sequences (463 bp), Korean mink whale meats are identified as products from the North Pacific minke whale (B. a. scammoni). In addition, the sequences of the partial control region from these meats showed G at site no. 298 and G or A at site no. 463, and the meats appeared to originate from the J stock within this subspecies. Thus, because the J stock has been protected since 1986, implementation of strict regulation measures to reduce their accidental fisheries by catch seems urgent. In addition, B. a. scammoni is distinct from B. a. acutorostrata, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 2.21% in the complete control region sequence analysis (935 bp) and 1.31% in the complete cytochrome b gene sequence analysis; the current results support the current subspecies classification, although further sequencing analyses with nuclear genes are necessary.

한국 귀신고래 수중명음을 캘리포니아 귀신고래 수중명음과 비교하기 위하여, 먼저 캘리포니아 귀신고래의 수중명음을 분석하고 그것을 이전의 결과들과 비교, 고찰한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 귀신고래의 수중명음의 약 50%를 차지하고 있는 저주파로 울리는 소리(low frequency rumble)의 주파수는 최대 654Hz까지 변동하였고, 지속시간은 평균 570msec로 나타나, 이전 결과들과 비교하여 저주파로 울리는 소리의 주파수 변동범위는 일치하는 것으로 판단되었다. 2. 귀신고래의 체내 공기가 체외로 방출되면서 발생하는 것으로 추정되는 “꼴꼴꼴”거리는 소리(bubble type sounds)와 “똑똑”노크하는 듯한 소리(knocks)의 주파수 변동범위는 각각 24~1029Hz와 10~1291Hz였으며, 지속시간의 평균은 각각 1100msec와 1364msec를 나타내었다. “꼴꼴꼴”거리는 소리는 주파수 변동범위와 지속시간 모두 이전 결과들보다 높게 나타났으나, “똑똑”노크하는 듯한 소리는 거의 일치하는 것으로 나타났다. 3. 그 외 “띵”하는 소리(bong)의 주파수 변동범위는 34~213Hz이였고, 지속시간의 평균은 84msec이였다. 그리고 펄스(pulses)의 주파수 변동범위는 75~360Hz, 지속시간 평균은 873msec이였으며, “찍찍”거리는 소리(chirps)의 수중명음의 중심주파수는 120~200Hz, 지속시간은 80msec를 나타내었다.