(live here) – In recent days, reports of sharks spotted on the northern coast have sparked a wave of panic on social media and in the national media. But is there any real reason for concern? In this article, we will debunk the fears, examine the facts, and ask what is really behind the appearance of sharks on the beaches – and what can we learn from this about the marine ecosystem in Israel.
The fear of sharks – a product of a Hollywood movie
The threatening image of the shark was born mainly due to the film "Jaws," which was shown in the 1970s and etched the shark in the collective memory as a cruel, man-eating animal. But the reality is completely different. Of the hundreds of species of sharks that exist in nature, only a few are dangerous to humans, and even those do so under extremely rare conditions. The sharks recently observed on Yanai Beach, for example, are not the dangerous types. The fear stems from an image, not from knowing the facts.
Sharks in Israel – an integral part of the marine landscape
Sharks did not suddenly "land" in Israel - they have been part of the local natural system for many years. Veteran fishermen, divers and rescuers can attest that shark sightings are a familiar phenomenon in areas such as Rosh Hanikra, the Achziv Islands, Sparta Reef and Sidna Ali Beach. The gap between reality and panic stems mainly from the rapid accessibility of information - thanks to underwater cameras and social networks. What was once kept as a professional secret of seafarers, today goes viral within minutes.
Why are sharks appearing close to shore now?
The appearance of the shallow sharks is well explained by the unique environmental conditions of recent months. Opinions differ regarding the reasons for the constant appearance of the sharks at the Hadera River estuary.
Some of the comments point to climate change, unseasonal heat, and the flow of water from the rivers to Yanai Beach and the Hadera power plant – water that also carries with it the carcasses of mullet, one of the sharks’ favorite food sources. The smell of the dead fish attracts the sharks, which are known to have an extraordinary sense of smell, to act close to the shore, but not out of aggression – but as part of their natural foraging pattern.
Sharks are not dangerous – they are actually wonderful to watch
Those who have tried swimming or diving near sharks often report a calm and impressive experience. The sharks move elegantly, resembling stealth aircraft in their movement, and ignore humans as long as they are not disturbed. The special receptor cells in their heads – “Lorenzini cells” – help them detect changes in the water and smell from a distance. Video footage from recent weeks shows sharks swimming near humans without showing any threat – a reminder that the prevailing stigma is simply not true.
Cautionary instructions – do not touch, do not disturb, do not approach
Despite the unique experience, rules of conduct must be observed around sharks: do not touch them, do not try to feed them, and do not get too close to them. Sharks are not pets, but powerful creatures, viable in the ecosystem, and they must be allowed the peace and space necessary for their existence. The more we understand the nature of the sea and respect its inhabitants, the more we can enjoy it – and learn to live in harmony with nature, even when that includes sharks.
Sharks as evidence of the health of the ocean
One of the clearest proofs that the Mediterranean Sea in our region is still healthy is the very presence of sharks. These are apex predators that choose to once again sail near our shores – a sign that the ecosystem has not collapsed. Their presence is evidence that the sea water has not yet been polluted to the point of seriously harming biodiversity, and in this there is hope. Their appearance is not a problem – but rather a message, which should be treated with respect and appreciation.
Another attack or two that will surely come if we listen to them, and then all the defenders of the marine predator will fall silent and fade away.
They reach the water at zero depth. All it takes is a startled movement and panic and they will do what they describe – “defend themselves” or, to put it simply, attack.
Hello Yaakov
You're right, you shouldn't interfere with nature at all, not in any way.
And yes, the sharks are at a depth of half a meter due to fish mortality. Any movement like running in fear of someone in the water is interpreted as prey.
recommendation!!!
The Nahuvat prison could be moved to Hadera, it would be like a particularly luxurious Alcatraz prison, surrounded by the sea for night swimming with sharks.
He who preys will be preyed upon!!!
It's so natural that we've known for years that they're walking among us. Tales of the Thousand and One Nights…….
It is true that sharks have been found in various places in the country for many years.
very interesting.
Dear Moti, what a fascinating and interesting article on the subject of sharks, I couldn't help but notice the spectacular videos and photos alongside the detail of the phenomenon in the article. It is definitely important to respect the privacy of sharks and not approach them and provoke them.
Congratulations! Great article!
Everyone forgot the huge protests organized by the Tzulul Association and other associations in 2018-19 against the operation of the Leviathan rig, claiming that it would pollute the sea and air, and claiming that 1000 cubic meters of water produced by the rig would flow into the sea every day and pollute it.
Now it becomes clear from the article that the appearance of the sharks indicates the health of the sea and the abundance of fish despite the activity of the gas rigs. Why did they mislead and incite the public, especially to protest against the government?!
Hello Avitar.
I am not affiliated with any group. I am an independent researcher who works for nature with serious human rights organizations in Israel and abroad.
The state of the sea in Israel is good. There is a huge improvement in water quality. You don't have to stay in a laboratory to test this. There are creatures that are litmus paper for us. And the appearance of sharks indicates the cleanliness of the water, without any connection to politics.
The sea conditions are good, you will reach Haifa Bay and see a seabed full of marine life, the volunteer work is very beautiful, but we need to change the approach in the coastal mall and do things that not only look good but also remove hazards from the root... like tiny plastic particles.
The problem is that we shouldn't declare every second animal endangered because that would lead to a collapse in the food chain. In conclusion, the sea is generally clean.
Thanks
Moti, you shark!!!!!
Thanks for the fascinating article as usual.
Their world is magical, and I would even expand and say that if a disaster happens, it's not because of the sharks.
Good morning, this is a terrible malfunction in a problematic area.
Maybe now that they've tasted human flesh, they shouldn't enter the water in the area they're in.
Thanks Muti
Finally a sane voice..
Tell that to the Hollywood diver from MAP.
People don't understand "not dangerous…..." What a pity! Dangerous! The sharks tasted human flesh and that's it for us. Be careful and don't take risks, don't have fun and don't go into the water where there are sharks. That's it!
Excellent article and I hope its readers learn to be careful and not get involved with sharks as recommended!!
Critical and fascinating article!!
as usual
I wish everyone would read your article and learn how to behave at sea!
Dear Moti, your article is so important! Maybe if everyone read it, lives would be saved!
You are so right and emphasize this in the article here and warn that you should not harass, feed, or approach sharks!
And only then did disaster strike.
Because people didn't listen to your instructions!
There are many photos from Hadera of people teasing the wild and feeding sharks and pulling their tails!
So why is it any wonder that disaster happens?
I wish everyone would read your important articles!
And thank you also for explaining and detailing the reasons why the sharks come to Hadera! Because I get asked a lot and I refer them to your article, which is reassuring.
Don't be mistaken and think that Haifa is infested with sharks!
Thank you for explaining the reasons why they were there in Hadera.
And thank you for the wonderful pictures. You are a professional and a diver and make important knowledge available to the public!
How to enjoy the sea, but where and how to be careful.
Thank you dear man🙏❤️❤️
A very important article today. You can see that it was published this morning. Sharks should not be demonized.
As usual, fascinating!!!!
Thanks.
A very sad day, for several years tens of thousands have been diving with sharks in Hadera without an attack from them….then an unusual and terrible incident returns to the days of fear of Jaws
A poorly timed article: Today, a diver was bitten by a shark in Hadera and as of this moment, they still haven't found him.
Less than 24 hours after the article was published, a diver was bitten by a shark in Hadera.
Yes, a shocking coincidence. Details will come and we will know what exactly happened there.
It's kind of ironic to read this now.
It's because you didn't keep the Sabbath.
Well… that didn't age well…
Regret in a pita on 118 Ha'atzmaut Street where all the shawarmas, alek is not dangerous, clowns
good evening
The sandbar shark is at the lower end of the shark attack spectrum. And if it is not provoked, i.e. feeding, pulling its tail, blocking a swimming lane, it will cause a reaction just like teasing a parrot, or a small dog that will attack in defense. Note the number of dog bites per year compared to a decade of swimming with sharks in Hadera.
Good night
Sharks have recently appeared in greater frequency and quantity and are reaching very shallow waters. There is no doubt that a fundamental change has occurred. One reason could be that they are coming all the way to shore to find food. We witnessed a shark attack on a diver wearing protective gear, despite advertisements that sharks are not dangerous. A hungry shark is very dangerous. Therefore, one should avoid staying in the water in areas prone to shark attacks, such as Hadera and Rosh Hanikra. In my opinion, the beaches should be fenced with iron nets to prevent a disaster.
In addition, sharks love cold water, literally ice water, because the ocean, unlike the Mediterranean, is much colder. They really like whirlpools and waves. This is a bad omen and a tsunami. The tectonic plates are retreating and this sends sea animals to the shore.
It's a bad omen. It's not because a shark is on the beach. It's because they're leaving the heart of the Mediterranean and approaching the shore for a specific reason. It's possible that the water there has become warm or there are too many merchant ships that are preventing them from sailing, and they're being pushed onto the shores. This is a significant threat to the sharks' habitat in the sea and throughout their lives. They can drift ashore and die. We need to stop damaging the heart of the Mediterranean with cruise ships and allow them to move around in their own home, which is none other than the sea itself.
Yaakov Tov Tzipsi
Any intervention in nature is unacceptable, and as we expand into natural areas, including at sea, we are at high risk of friction.
Thank you, dear Moti, I swim regularly at Neve Yam Beach, and do fast paddling. I understand that fast movements can attract the attention of sharks. Isn't fast swimming in a shark environment dangerous?
Hey Tzachi
Fast swimming or jumping off a boat may be interpreted as an injured fish.
The more afraid you are, the higher your heart rate, and the more your heart activity increases, like the electrical activity that attracts sharks.
good evening
It's a little difficult to pull a knot.
Try next time: attention.
I'm sorry, but with all due respect, this is not reliable writing. The one who knows what will happen to every stingray with teeth and doesn't forget to show us their teeth suddenly tells us how noble and beloved the shark is.
PS: What do you mean by "kept as a professional secret"? Where is the professional transparency in making knowledge accessible? That doesn't sound good.
Hi Yoav
The fish I write about that are venomous do not attack unless their attack is passive. That is, you step on it or it defends itself. The sand shark is on the low end of the scale, with the lowest attack threshold. It is a peaceful animal, but even a small dog will defend itself.
And of course we have to wait and see what really happened there.
Thanks Muti.
Thank you very much, Effie.