There is one beach in Haifa, wild and magical, where you can find a corner of silence at any hour of the day, wade your feet or dive underwater, walk among carpets of bloom, meet colorful sea animals and admire wonderful archaeological treasures. The seashore in Shekmona, where the Carmel ridge kisses the sea, the beach where many Haifaites spent their childhood, and in their adulthood spend their leisure hours and hours of grace, a place where most of the hidden is revealed...
Sea under change
Ask any fisherman and he will tell you that our Mediterranean Sea is "no longer what it used to be". True, the sea is still blue, salty and wet, but many years of overfishing, sewage pollution and the invasion of Red Water species through the Suez Canal have significantly changed the populations of marine animals and plants and deteriorated the state of the ecosystems in the sea. Add to this the climate changes, the increase in solid waste pollution (mainly plastic), the discharge of salts from desalination plants, the construction of huge ports and gas drilling rigs and you will get a used up, discolored and lifeless sea. The sea is not only a space for recreation and pleasure, as of 2018 the Mediterranean Sea is the source of drinking water, energy and the main trade route for the State of Israel. Protecting the sea is protecting our lifeblood.
So how do you protect the sea anyway?
The answer: marine nature reserves!
Thousands of people pass by the promenade that is located in Haifa every day and despite this, few know that they are in the territory of a marine nature reserve and a national park. Even fewer know what it means...
The principle behind a marine nature reserve is the same as a land nature reserve - protection of an area where unique natural values are found. All species of flora and fauna and even inanimate nature within the nature reserve are protected by law. Activities that harm the marine and coastal nature, such as fishing (except fishing with a rod), picking plants, collecting shells or sand, sleeping or lighting a fire on the beach, throwing waste, etc. are prohibited in the area of the reserve and the national park.
10 years since the existence of a reserve located in Haifa
In 2008, Shkomona was declared a marine nature reserve and a national park in order to protect unique natural and heritage values found on the coast and in the sea. The Shekmona Marine Reserve stretches for 1.6 km, from the Sea and Lakes Research Institute to Maksim Restaurant, and west for a kilometer into the sea.
Grouping tables and underwater reefs in the Shekmona Reserve
The marine reserve protects unique rock surfaces on the coastline called Gidod Tables and underwater reefs. The rocky habitats, above and below the surface of the water are "HOTSPOT", that is, unique nature sites with a huge variety of marine plants and animals: algae, sponges, molluscs, crabs, sea anemones, fish and many other species.
Shekmona beach was declared a "national park"
The coastal part of Shekmona was declared a "national park". The purpose of the national park in Shekmona is to protect the coastal flora and fauna, alongside rich archaeological findings: Tel Shekmona - a fascinating archaeological site documenting a settlement of about 3000 years, ancient aquaculture facilities, remains of buildings and spectacular mosaics.
Increased enforcement in the Shekmona reserve
Lack of enforcement force and public awareness over the years prevented the designated marine reserve and national park from functioning properly. These two challenges are now undergoing significant changes.
About a year and a half ago, the position of marine inspector in the Carmel area was filled in RTG and the enforcement of the reserve's rules went into high gear. In addition to this, these days a marine enforcement unit is being established at the Nature and Parks Authority and the enforcement power for marine reserves and fishing regulations has been significantly increased.
Citizens can also help protect marine nature. Have you seen a marine hazard? Have you come across an injured sea turtle/marine mammal, a fisherman in the reserve or sewage pollution? Report it immediately using the SeaWatch application on your mobile phone and the report will go directly to the person handling that offense.
Download the application - Android
The SeaWatch app in Jane's walk - reporting from the field
A local maritime community was established in Haifa - awareness and action for the sea
The sea is big, wide and deep. To protect him from the increasing pressures, only enforcement is not enough. Protecting the sea requires all seafarers to connect, join forces and cooperate.
For this reason, our friend, the Society for the Protection of Nature and the Nature and Parks Authority, to the lovers and guardians of the Haifa sea to establish a local marine community, a local civic force that will work to raise public awareness of our marine reserve and assist in the transformation of Shekmona into a thriving marine reserve.
After a successful opening night at the Sea and Lakes Research Institute, over 100 activists joined the initiative, most of them from Haifa. Since January, the active participants in a fascinating training program which is a "deep dive" into the wonders of the Mediterranean Sea and the factors that threaten it. The leading professionals in the field of marine nature research and conservation in Israel imparted to the community activists knowledge on marine ecology, archeology, fishing and enforcement, marine waste, marine reserves and civil science, and along with them tours were held to get to know nature in the reserve, a visit to the sea turtle rescue center and more. Along with acquiring professional knowledge, the community began working in the field: relocating protected beach lilies from the Hubert Humphrey Promenade works to the national park area, monitoring algae on the rocky beach in the reserve in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces Institute, and promoting educational and outreach activities.
A plan to expand the marine reserve of Haifa
"קְקַרמֶ֖ל בַּיָּ֥ם ָֽוא" - a large marine reserve will protect the underwater Carmel Ridge
Just as the prophet Jeremiah described in the Bible, the green Carmel ridge does not end at the coastline. The slopes of the mountain plunge into the depths of the blue sea and reach a depth of about 300 meters and a distance of about 11 km from the coast.
In surveys carried out by the Nature and Parks Authority using underwater robots, magnificent sponge gardens were discovered on the slopes of the underwater Mount Carmel. A huge and colorful variety of sponge species which, similar to the coral reef in Eilat, create a three-dimensional structure that is a habitat for a huge variety of other marine animals.
The sponge gardens on the underwater Carmel ridge
(The photos of the sponge gardens were taken as part of Tal Iden's doctoral thesis in the laboratory of Prof. Micah Ilan, Tel Aviv University)
(The photos of the sponge gardens were taken as part of Tal Iden's doctoral thesis in the laboratory of Prof. Micah Ilan, Tel Aviv University)
(The photos of the sponge gardens were taken as part of Tal Iden's doctoral thesis in the laboratory of Prof. Micah Ilan, Tel Aviv University)
Based on the findings of the survey, RTG is currently promoting the "Rosh Carmel Sea Reserve", a large marine reserve that will protect both the unique geological structure - the continuation of the Carmel Ridge below the surface of the Mediterranean Sea - and the flora and fauna that grow on its slopes.
The area of marine reserves in Israel is only a quarter of a percent
As of 2018, only about 0.25% of the maritime area of the State of Israel is protected as marine nature reserves. The Nature and Parks Authority is promoting a plan to expand the marine reserves, which will protect 20% of the territorial waters of the State of Israel. The marine reserves will protect the living environments that characterize the Israeli Mediterranean Sea - rocky reefs, soft bottom, sandy and rocky beaches, alongside unique living environments such as Achziv Canyon, the Rosh Carmel Ridge and even sites of underwater gas springs.
The "Rosh Carmel Marine Community" is part of the national network of marine communities "Mediterranean People" which together with the environmental organizations (Khalat, Zlul, Makhamali, Ecoshan and "Ano") support the Nature and Parks Authority in the promotion of marine nature reserves in Israel.
International Oceans Day – 8/6/18
Every year, on 8/6/18, International Oceans Day is celebrated all over the world. We in Haifa will hold a big and colorful happening in the marine reserve that is located. The Rosh Carmel marine community, along with other communities along the Israeli coast, will call for the expansion of marine reserves because "only marine reserves can protect the sea."
Interested in joining the "Rosh Carmel Maritime Community"?
Contact us by email: [email protected]