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¡ã Hapalochlaena lunulata has been spotted in Jeju waters for another year. Photo Wikimedia Commons |
The lethal blue-ringed octopus has been spotted again in Jeju waters.
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute Fisheries Research Centre announced the poisonous marine animal was spotted on May 10 at a depth of 1.5m to the north of Samyang Beach east of Jeju City.
A graduate from Jeju's haenyeo school found the creature, described as shiny with luminous blue lights on its skin, before reporting it to authorities.
The blue-ringed octopus is relatively small at around 10cm up, but carries a lethal poison (tetrodotoxin). Exposure to as little as 1mg of the poison can be lethal leading to paralysis, vomiting and breathing problems.
The skin of the creature is also toxic so the public is advised not to touch it under any circumstances.
After conducting searches in the area, the Tropical Fisheries Research Centre could not locate the animal.
The animal was found in northeast Jeju in 2012 and then in northwest Jeju last year. Local authorities plan to display warning notices at public beaches and around the coast to warn the public of the dangers of the octopus. |