Guards of Korean territory, Dokdo Black-tailed Gulls And Dokdo Shrimp
Dokdo, the symbol of territorial sovereignty of South Korea, is located the most distant from the mainland of the Korean Peninsula, and as such, it has an untouched, beautiful, and mysterious nature.
As many rare animals and plants, along with natural monuments, sustain the ecosystem, the island is referred to as the "Galapagos of the East Sea."
Among them, the representative of Dokdo is the black-tailed gulls.
Its name, which is derived from its cat-like cry, is characterized by a black band on its tail and a red spot at the tip of its beak.
Black-tailed gulls, as migratory birds, return to Dokdo every spring because it coincides with the spawning season of Pacific saury.
Since its eggs are the ideal food for young black-tailed gulls, the island serves as a breeding ground for them.
Dokdo is an island abundant in marine and energy resources, as well as ecological treasures on land.
In 2004, a new microorganism was discovered and published in the international academic community under the scientific name "Dokdo."
One of them was even studied aboard the space station.
The economic value of Dokdo, a treasure trove of natural resources, is the reason why Japan has continued to lay claim to it.
But here is a new guard of Dokdo.
It is called Dokdo shrimp, which is a collective name for humpback shrimp, spiny lobster, and morotoge shrimp that live in the deep waters near Dokdo.
The Dokdo shrimp, which became a hot topic during former U.S. President Trump's visit to Korea in 2017,
saw a surge in popularity due to Japan's opposition and reactions with a strong backlash, now becoming a new symbol representing Dokdo.
In 2021, in response to the controversy over Japan's labeling of Dokdo, Gyeongbuk Province released 200,000 baby Dokdo shrimps into the East Sea after the successful production of its breed.
The research and management of Dokdo and its resources, along with its history, provide strong evidence of Korea’s effective control over the island.
Please remember that seeing, hearing, and caring about Dokdo in person, as well as getting to know about it through the animation on Dokdo sea lion that will be aired in 2025, are all ways to protect the island!
Link : https://youtu.be/fQqbeptUOtw?si=5WFcv_J93_7IRNvW