Flora and fauna Yellow Sea

migration paths , resting grounds of bar-tailed godwit @ yellow sea.

the sea rich in seaweed (predominantly kelp, laminaria japonica), cephalopods, crustaceans, shellfishes, clams, , in blue-green algae bloom in summer , contribute water color (see image above). example, seaweed production in area high 1.5 million tonnes in 1979 china alone. abundance of species increases toward south , indicates high sea productivity accounts large fish production in sea. newer species of goby fish discovered.

the southern part of yellow sea, including entire west coast of korea, contains 10 km-wide (6.2 mi) belt of intertidal mudflats, has total area of 2,850 km (1,100 sq mi) , maintained 4–10 m (13–33 ft). flats consist of highly productive sediments rich benthic fauna , of great importance migratory waders , shorebirds. surveys show area single important site migratory birds on northward migration in entire east asian – australasian flyway, more 35 species occurring in internationally significant numbers. 2 million birds, @ minimum, pass through @ time, , half number use on southward migration. 300,000 migrating birds transiting annually through saemangeum tidal flat area. estuary dammed south korea in 1991–2006 resulted in drying off land. land reclamation took 65% of intertidal area in china between 1950s , 2002, , there plans reclaim further 45%.

oceanic megafaunas bio-diversities, such of marine mammals, sea turtles, , larger fish drastically decreased in modern time not pollution direct hunting, extensively japanese industrial whaling, illegal mass operations soviet supports japan. , fewer species survived today although being still in serious perils. include spotted seals, , cetaceans such minke whales, killer whales, false killer whales, , finless porpoises, nonetheless remnants of species listed in small numbers. historically, large whales abundant either summering , wintering in yellow , bohai seas. example, unique population of resident fin whales , gray whales historically presented, or possibly hosted north pacific right whales , humpback whales (3 whales including cow calf pair observed @ changhai county in 2015) year-round other migrating individuals, , many other migratory species such baird s beaked whales. blue whales, japanese sea lions, dugongs (in southern regions only), , leatherback turtles used breed or migrate yellow , bohai seas.

spotted seals species thriving in today s yellow sea , being resident species well. sanctuary these seals situated @ baengnyeongdo known local finless porpoises. great white sharks have been spotted prey on seals in these areas well.