(haipo) - Invasive diadem-type sea urchins endanger the local population and visitors to Haifa's beaches, especially in the rocky areas.
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Invasive species in the Red Sea
While we are busy with our war of existence on earth, another war is going on under the water, between the local permanent inhabitants of the sea and invasive species from the Red Sea. Invasive species, such as the parrot fish, the striped flounder, and the hazron fish, are beginning to take over the Mediterranean Sea, harming the local population. The dangerous hahron fish has spread in recent years from the northern region to the beaches of Haifa, and is a real danger to humans.
The danger under the water - the diadem urchin endangers the bathers
One of the most dangerous invasive species observed recently is the diadem sea urchin, which penetrates the Red Sea and breeds in the breakwater areas and in shallow places, where they meet on the sea island within walking distance of it. This hedgehog has long, hollow spines that inject venom, and it can cause severe pain, swelling and even dangerous allergic reactions. If he reaches Bat Galim beach - this is a tangible danger for bathers.
International cooperation and dangerous proliferation
In 2018, there was a widespread spread of the diadem urchin in the eastern Mediterranean, which caused cooperation between Israel, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. However, there is still an increase in the number of hedgehogs on Israel's beaches, especially on beaches where there are rocks and scrap metal that provide them with hiding places.
The war for the preservation of Haifa's beaches
Although the situation on the beaches of Haifa remains calm, there is a real danger at Bat Galim beach if the diademed hedgehog gets there. At 'Hai Fe' we will continue to monitor, and if necessary we will alert the authorities and ask for signage to warn of the presence of the dangerous hedgehog. Currently, the bathers in Haifa can enjoy themselves safely - but they must remain alert for any changes.
An invasion that should not be ignored
While other countries, such as Australia, are actively working to eliminate the invasive species, in Israel things are moving slowly. In coordination with RTG and under their guidance, the dangerous urchins must be prepared and collected before they cause serious harm to bathers and the marine environment.
Peace ,
Yesterday a surfer was stabbed from Kochav Yam at the Hilton Beach in Tel Aviv, it really surprised everyone there. Hilton beach is a beach with rocks and surfers. There are many people. Is there anything to be done about the starfish? If so, who should do this, who should be contacted to deal with this new phenomenon? I would be happy to receive an answer to the email as well
Thanks .
Good morning Neve
Maybe a sea urchin stung me, because there are no thorny stars in the Mediterranean
Thank you for contacting us, at least not on the shores of Israel, is there a photo?
Right!
But in the past there was another urchin in the Mediterranean that disappeared.
I remember in the 70's dozens of hedgehogs like a doe in the breakwaters in the Nahariya area.
Hello Dan
It is true that in the past there were short-spined Mediterranean sea urchins here, and they disappeared.
Even if you stepped on them it was insignificant compared to this intruder whose damage is very bad.
good week
In my opinion, we should kill all those who endanger us, including Zaharon, including everyone, meaning the poor people who can kill people and stop looking at the food chain and all this nonsense, if they are an invasive species, they should be killed point
Hello Kahana and happy holidays
There are species that have invaded here that add to the fish that have returned even though they are a burden on the local ecology.
However, species like Zaharon and Sufi sea urchins need to be removed from here, so in the US they hunt it. In Greece, Turkey and Cyprus they simply take them out.
We have the luxury not to kill but to return to the Red Sea.
Haharon is a completely different story.
I photograph, research and report... everyone and their role... whoever is responsible for nature will take care of it.
And another correction... the hedgehog and the hedgehog do not cause death but rather severe injuries.
Happy holiday
Exterminate the dangerous invaders
Hello Shmuel
In some places in the world they do Zaano, you can move them to their place of origin....the Red Sea and it is very easy.
We have a lot of interlopers and a few more that are still to be defined.
Most of them are not harmful to humans, but the latter is very harmful both to the ecology and especially to humans, and including the structure of the ground substrate that is convenient for hedgehogs, this is a red line regarding its presence.
Happy holiday
Hi Muti
Hey, very important article. It's not a joke anymore. Surfers at Bat Galim in the casino and in Bacador can be seriously injured.
I hope that even here in Israel they will be able to carry out preventive actions against the invasive species.
Thanks Shai
I also dive after sunset and at the moment I haven't seen Bat Galim, but not far away either.
As soon as they reach Bat Galim they will have to act immediately.
Currently according to a map that I am updating regarding invasive species that were harmful until a year ago.
Today from Ashkelon to Acre. And it fills up fast and well like Bat Galim, and it should stay that way.
Happy holiday
Is there any restriction on going to the beach these days in Haifa?
Hello Izzy, not really.
Relax and enjoy every moment in our wonderful sea.
This is an article about invasive creatures that have entered the Mediterranean Sea and of course about the hedgehog that may reach the shores of Bat Galim and we hope that it will take some time until it arrives and is dealt with by the authorities.
Happy holiday and peace
Thanks to Moti who is constantly taking care to photograph, tell and inform us what is happening on our beaches, for us swimmers it is very important both because we are nature lovers and so that we can take care of ourselves, if necessary...
Many thanks to Yora.
It is indeed extremely important to limit the distribution of human beings and it is sad to say so... at any cost.
For the two of them back to the Red Sea...it's really not a problem.
I know the creatures of the sea closely, especially sea urchins both in Israel and in the world, and it's really not a problem to clean areas unlike Haron.
Happy holiday
And one more thing I forgot to mention to Yora.
On my map of the invaders, there are pests all the way to Acre, so the hedgehogs are really not far from Bat Galim, so we will make sure to report.
And have a happy and peaceful holiday
30 years ago when I lived in Haifa, there were also sea urchins. The divers in Shikmona would catch and devour them.
Hello Liron, indeed, there were Mediterranean sea urchins in different shades.
But the diadem is a poisonous creature, and is known to be useful to bathers who have been affected by it.
Happy holiday
Since this species is almost completely extinct from the Gulf of Eilat. The hedgehogs must be collected from Yam Tikhon and returned to Eilat in order to restore their population.
It requires quite a bit of surgery but it is possible.
Hello uncle, you are absolutely right and this is what needs to be done.
And it's really not a "long school day" you just need a will.
Happy holiday
Both important and troubling information. Thanks Motti for the important sharing, as usual a great submission with great photos... and which makes me think where the hell is the Nature and Parks Authority and what are its people doing about it. From their role and duty to take care of invasive species, in practice it seems that they invest all their resources and energies in taking over and appropriating more and more sea and coastal areas for the purposes of strengthening and enriching their finances, so they have no interest and time to deal with invasive species.
Hello Yaed Israel
It is true that this is their job and it seems to me that when the hedgehogs reach Bat Galim they will have to cut things.
Because you can't prevent thousands of bathers from enjoying the most beautiful beach, so they'll have to work a little.
But it's roles.
Happy holiday
Indeed the sea urchin / sea pig is sick of the sea urchins, it's a shame that we don't have parrots here since 4G when the power station was built, the normal sea urchins that were also tasty have disappeared, now this poisonous species has arrived 😪
Hello my people.
Let's improve your mood..
Lots of spines and a small body….and also protected.
Now .. there are gray woodpeckers, but not in such depth and not in a suitable size.
But if the population of hedgehogs increases... everything will change.
Happy holiday
I hope they will not destroy them, but only keep them away, or at most dilute them.,.
Happy holidays, great article!!!!!!
Hello R.S
Indeed, all animals must live.
So you have to solve the problem when you arrive.
Happy holiday
From the point of view of a former lifeguard, one of the worst cases was jumping into the breakwater, mainly by teenagers, which was a constant risk to life.
So maybe the natural hedge will prevent access to those youths to the breakwaters
Thanks for an interesting article with fascinating photos. Waiting for the days when we can return and enjoy the stunning beaches of Haifa
Hello Haifa mother
Thank you for the response, indeed.
May we all return to sanity soon.
Happy holiday
It is important to note that in the Red Sea it is extinct due to a virus which may destroy the ecosystem there. Perhaps with the help of invading urchins from the Mediterranean it will be possible to restore the population there or alternatively use the virus in the Mediterranean.
Kind regards
Indeed, this is the intention, and if there is a will...everything is possible
The hedgehog and the zarons also arrived in Netanya
Hello Harari.
yes know know
Almost all the beaches have these representatives.
Happy holiday
I only saw 2 in diving this season, it's a shame that there is no RTG team that collects them in free diving like every place in the world that the hedgehog has invaded
Hello Harari.
yes know know
Almost all the beaches have these representatives.
Happy holiday
Hello Rami, you are one hundred percent right.
Everyone and their work is.
There is a balance, the parrotfish like to gnaw beyond the corals the long-spined sea urchins!
Hello Merrick. Nazran fish...a guinea pig in the fishermen's language likes the urchin very much.
Dear Moti
What a fascinating article. I didn't know this much information about hedgehogs and that they are so close to us. Wonderful photos and thank you. Or
Thank you very much Or.
And the sea is the home of sea creatures
Happy holiday