Israel Nature and Parks Authority Warns Public as Sharks Return to Hadera
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority warned the public against diving near Hadera as sharks return to the power station's warm waters, citing severe safety hazards and strict legal protections.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority issued a strict warning on Tuesday against diving, snorkeling, or swimming near Hadera following the annual return of sharks to the warm water discharge area of the local power station. Sharks gather in the region annually from November to May, drawing crowds of onlookers, but officials stressed that encounters with these marine predators are unpredictable and potentially lethal.
Authorities recalled the tragic incident in April 2025, when a diver lost his life after an encounter with a shark in the area. Beyond the immediate danger posed by the animals, officials highlighted severe environmental hazards, including treacherous underwater currents, dangerous whirlpools, and abandoned fishing gear such as sharp hooks and loose lines left scattered across the seabed. The authority emphasized that swimming in the designated area is strictly prohibited by law.
Officials noted that sharks are not confined exclusively to Hadera and have been spotted along other coastal areas across the country, urging the public to maintain a safe distance during any coastal water activities. Sharks are protected natural species under Israeli law and face severe extinction risks in the Mediterranean Sea, making any harassment, feeding, or physical harm illegal and subject to criminal prosecution.
Characteristics and Ecological Role
The visiting shark population consists of dozens of marine predators belonging primarily to two species: the dusky shark and the sandbar shark, easily identifiable by their prominent dorsal fins. Dusky sharks in local waters typically reach lengths of up to three meters and weigh around 150 kilograms, while sandbar sharks grow to about two meters and weigh approximately 70 kilograms. Sandbar sharks are classified as endangered in the Mediterranean Sea, while data remains insufficient to determine the exact population status of dusky sharks.
Research indicates that sharks congregate in Hadera to rest and warm themselves in the thermal outflow, which accelerates essential physiological processes such as digestion and reproduction. Yigal Ben-Ari, director of the marine unit at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, elaborated on their vital ecological significance:
«Mediterranean shark populations suffer severe depletion due to overfishing and unintended bycatch, where captured sharks are often discarded back into the sea dying or dead. In Israel, sharks are protected natural assets crucial for maintaining marine ecosystems by culling weak and injured marine life, thereby strengthening the entire coastal environment.»
