(haipo) – The Mediterranean Sea, the eastern coast of Israel, has always been a rich and diverse place in terms of the life that exists there, but in recent years, fishermen – both amateurs and professionals – have been asking themselves poignant questions: Where have the fish gone? How did a sea that was full of fish, where almost every fisherman would find an abundance and variety of fish and marine animals, become an area where it is difficult to find the animals that once existed there in their entirety? The answers are many and complex. In fact, there are several reasons, including natural factors, invasive species, incorrect regulation, and more – all of which are part of this complex picture.
◄ The Mediterranean Sea is Changing • Watch
The invaders – the sea is no longer ours
The main problem, as many fishermen have noted, is the invasion of foreign fish species and marine creatures that are replacing native species. In Israel, especially along the Mediterranean coast, there has been a significant increase in invasive fish species, coming from countries such as Greece, Turkey and the Red Sea. In the Haifa area, for example, invasive creatures such as sea urchins, puffers and sea urchins are gradually replacing native species. A direct result of this is a significant decrease in the number of native fish, and their replacement with species that are not suitable for the local ecology.
Another threat – weather changes and the vulnerability of jellyfish
Another phenomenon that has become a serious problem in recent years is the invasion of predatory jellyfish. The jellyfish harm fish reproduction, fish eggs, and other marine animals. In addition, the phenomenon of global weather changes, such as ocean warming and climate change, is causing further damage to the local marine ecosystem. The jellyfish, which can reproduce rapidly, prey on the marine creatures from which the fish used to develop.
Inappropriate laws are also part of the problem.
Part of the problem is existing legislation that discriminates in favor of invasive fish and creatures, rather than fighting them. An example of this is the legislation protecting invasive sea urchins – which are protected even though they harm the local ecosystem. The struggle with existing legality may be related to the fact that creatures like sea urchins are intensively invading coastal areas and threatening local marine vegetation, especially the algae on which other animals depend.
The search for solutions – time never stands still
Despite the many problems, there are bodies responsible for the solution, and they include proposals to prevent the situation from getting worse. Some directions that have been suggested include the establishment of artificial reefs to restore the local ecosystem, or the installation of breakwaters off the coast of the islands. Attempts to combat the invaders using diseases that affect them, such as the virus that affected sea urchins in Eilat and Greece, are also on the agenda. Any such solution requires a lot of thought, investment, and resources.
Future Directions – Will Salvation Come?
In light of all the problems presented, the question arises – will the solution arrive in time? It is difficult to know. Perhaps the changes in the weather, such as the cold winters that could prevent the survival of some of the invaders, will do the job themselves. But as we know, even natural phenomena do not always provide immediate answers. On the other hand, there is hope. As we can see from the situation in Haifa, where pollution has consistently decreased, other challenges can be faced when there is the will and willingness.
Immediate and creative treatment
To sum up, the fishing situation in Israel requires immediate attention and creative thinking. Dealing with the invaders, climate change, and restrictions on fishermen can solve the problem, but the road is long and requires joint work by all parties involved. We, as citizens and fishermen, can only hope that the decisions made in the near future will not disappoint future generations.
have a nice weekend!
And what about all the fishing boats from Acre who come to the Kiryat Yam beach every morning and throw a net 50 meters from the shore, and the net is a net with a small hole and catches tiny fish that they throw away, but destroy the next generation of fish?
Hello pensioner
Indeed, this is the case, and enforcement is needed, especially regarding the size of the mesh of the network.
Thank you
Hello Muti
I have been freediving with a rifle for many years in the Jaffa area. An area called the dump. From November until today, not a single predatory fish such as the Palamida anthias, etc. has been observed. The fish have simply disappeared from there completely. And I dive there every day.
Hello Victor knows the area well.
I go there almost once a month for a survey.
And I'm telling you...no one has an answer.
But I believe in the cycles of nature and it will return.
Thanks
Hi Muti
How are you doing, health and other interesting articles?
And what about the trawlers that cause enormous damage to ecology and fishing!?
Hi Muti
Thank you very much for the enlightenment. I have recently heard from fishermen that "the fish have disappeared."
At the same time, I think there is a concern that if they take reckless actions, as is often the case in Israel, we will end up in a worse situation.
I hope that this time there will be no ego games and that decision-makers will listen to professionals in the field and not just to those in positions in one office or another.
Hey, Shay
I don't know what to call it.
But one fact...there is one animal that can and must be stopped and that is the sea otter. This is not a "long school day."
Her life is pretty static, so all they have to do is put her in containers and fly her to Eilat, where they come from.
Thank you
This method is almost unenforceable. Hunting with a sea gun, unfortunately, I have no authority, so I see everything and can't do anything to report it at a stage where I see it's already too late.
A few examples from the field.
Before they leave, they hide the loot underwater in the rocks of the breakwater. They go out and look, see that there is no supervision. They find that in this case, 5-lux specks are all below the legal size.
A diver and a boat owner enter the sea. The diver brings a party to the boat. At some point, the boat returns to shore. The diver continues to shave and goes towards the casino. The boat with the oars returns and so on. Who will you catch?
And think about it, the parking is a minute's walk, or even less, from the moment you exit the sea in this area, from the cable car to the breakwater in the middle of the promenade.
And remember, a skilled hunter can easily catch 30 or more fish in each entry.
This method is not good for our region, which is already suffering.
Maybe more deterrent penalties.
Maybe reset everything and start issuing licenses again with more rigor. Continuing like this is fucked up!!!!
There is a huge desire for supervision, but against this method where two divers go out, one checks, sees that there is no supervision, calls the other, and within half a minute they are in the vehicle….
Regarding the permanent net, even stopping fishing during the breeding season doesn't help because the fisherman who caught the 30 largemouth bass was there days before the fishing stopped.
As I know, fish don't always go according to the dates...
In general, this is a net that can withstand hours. This is a method that goes against the efforts being made today to place a net in a very strategic place that sometimes completely closes off the coast for hours. What do you think will happen????
There are some who make a living, but most don't. I know someone who goes to work in a chain of renovations and ends up working.
Returning to take the most convenient and most harmful network!!!!!!!!!
Moti, I agree with you, that's why I started my statement by saying that everything you wrote is true...
Aware that the greatest enemy in the world is invasion…. A conscious reader follows.
I just added one more thing and emphasized that it's not because of them that the situation is happening, but they do have an impact on certain species in the coastal area for hunting with a sea gun.
Let's put it this way, there are vouchers today that are a great shelter for the fish that were slaughtered, as I detailed in the original response.
There are other damages in indiscriminate fishing methods, such as standing nets that the cold water leaves for 8 hours because the fish do not spoil. Sometimes the net is spread relatively close to the shore, 400 yards diagonally into the sea. That way, the net would be from the breakwater in the middle of the boardwalk for hours on end. The fisherman would catch what he wanted and along the way catch more that he did not want and would simply throw it away (do you remember two seasons ago with the same method how a fisherman killed 30 broad-toothed otters like that and also a sea turtle? He tried to throw them all away to hide the evidence. Luckily, there was a nature lover who was admiring the moment).
There are things that can be solved now.
And there are things that need to start solving now, like the hedgehogs, for example.
You shouldn't take any problem lightly. The situation is not good, and anything else that causes damage in the current situation has a more harmful effect.
There are many harmful fishing methods, such as a permanent net. What do you think will happen if you leave the net in place for 8 hours until sunrise, when the fish of the day begin to act? What will happen again and again? Disasters because it is an indiscriminate method.
For example, fishermen who fish in shallow water lure schooling fish, who discover a school, close in on it, trick it, and oh, there are fish, no harm done.
Obviously there are the trawlers. I'm talking about the coastal area where many fish start their lives.
Moti, I agree with you, that's why I started my statement by saying that everything you wrote is true...
Aware that the greatest enemy in the world is invasion…. A conscious reader follows.
I just added one more thing and emphasized that it's not because of them that the situation is happening, but they do have an impact on certain species in the coastal area for hunting with a sea gun.
Let's put it this way, there are vouchers today that are a great shelter for the fish that were slaughtered, as I detailed in the original response.
There are other damages in indiscriminate fishing methods, such as standing nets that the cold water leaves for 8 hours because the fish do not spoil. Sometimes the net is spread relatively close to the shore, 400 yards diagonally into the sea. That way, the net would be from the breakwater in the middle of the boardwalk for hours on end. The fisherman would catch what he wanted and along the way catch more that he did not want and would simply throw it away (do you remember two seasons ago with the same method how a fisherman killed 30 broad-toothed otters like that and also a sea turtle? He tried to throw them all away to hide the evidence. Luckily, there was a nature lover who was admiring the moment).
There are things that can be solved now.
And there are things that need to start solving now, like the hedgehogs, for example.
You shouldn't take any problem lightly. The situation is not good, and anything else that causes damage in the current situation has a more harmful effect.
There are many harmful fishing methods, such as a permanent net. What do you think will happen if you leave the net in place for 8 hours until sunrise, when the fish of the day begin to act? What will happen again and again? Disasters because it is an indiscriminate method.
For example, fishermen who fish in shallow water lure schooling fish, who discover a school, close in on it, trick it, and oh, there are fish, no harm done.
Obviously there are the trawlers. I'm talking about the coastal area where a lot of fish start their lives.
Hello, I am a miner, Hamid A'id, a fisherman for 40 years. I have many complaints about this matter.
Hello, it is very interesting to hear what you know and understand.
Hello Mahamid
I would appreciate your opinion
Thanks
Dear Moti, a very fascinating article! Let's hope that a solution will really come soon! Regev, the photos and video of the Zaharon and other sea creatures are of amazing quality! All the best.
A painful situation. Everything you wrote is true, but don't forget that the little that is available every day is comfortable at sea with good visibility. Divers with guns take advantage of it to hunt more and more and more. Small loci weighing half a kilo come out like thieves. Slowly, they are afraid of supervision and then they come out.
Unfortunately, I've seen too many of these on my walks on the boardwalk, especially when they leave the beach in front of the cable car. There are 2 breakwaters and lots of reefs there.
They are not the main problem, but they are the ones who are currently adding weight to an already dire situation.
Obviously not everyone, but one skilled diver is enough, but without morals, the amount of damage he can do is enormous, but taking half a kilo of gold is a big deal, which unfortunately happens a lot, so in the coastal area, at least on the breakwaters and reefs, the impact of those divers is great.
(A small example. One day I was at Meridian Beach for a whole day. There were 7 divers, each one meticulously scanning. I came to 7. I asked if there were any loci. He answered that there were stones.
(In a place where there used to be many loci)
Hello Moshiko. Today there is a limit on the size and quantity of fishing per day.
That's what rules are for.
What's more disturbing is that not much is being done to stop an existing invasion of animals that will eliminate fishing more than divers.
The number of invasive fish is enormous and is destroying existing species. It's too late with the jellyfish and the sea urchins... but it is advisable to move the urchins or find a solution for them. There are authorities for this, and that is their job.
There is hardly a month without finding a new immigrant.
There is no publication about seeing a single detail.
Go to National Historical and see articles by Prof. Galil and myself and you will understand that an invasion is no small matter.
Shabbat Shalom
Moti, I used to be satisfied with the number of networks.
A certain amount of time to bring the daily
Over time, the number of nets doubled and even tripled, and the number of fish decreased by a quarter.
This is not a new phenomenon, it started in the early 80s.
Fishing during spawning season Fisherman with a small mesh size in the net Explosions and pollution killed the sea
Dear Danny
I remember the fish that were there and lots of dive sites that have potential for fishing even today.
Everyone is right, but pollution is severely affecting Serbia and like a domino effect, everything is collapsing.
Only the authorities should provide the solutions.