Invasive Longfin Spadefish Spotted Off Israel's Northern Coast
An invasive longfin spadefish native to the Red Sea has been documented for the first time off northern Israel near Nahariya, prompting calls for further marine monitoring.
A rare invasive fish species, identified as the Platax pinnatus (longfin spadefish), has been documented for the first time off the northern coast of Israel near Nahariya. Local divers encountered the fish during a routine dive at the "Eitana" tugboat wreck site, with underwater photographer Amir Weitzman from Aquazoom capturing the footage.
According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the specimen likely originated in the Red Sea and migrated into the Mediterranean. The documentation provides valuable data for tracking the presence and expansion of invasive marine species across Mediterranean waters.
While this marks the first sighting in northern Israeli coastal waters, previous records indicate the species was spotted near Ashdod approximately 15 years ago. The fish has also been documented in Turkish waters since 2006, and a scientific study published earlier this year reported its presence off the coast of Libya in July 2025 at a depth exceeding ten meters.
Researchers note that the pathway of introduction remains uncertain, with potential vectors including migration through the Suez Canal or the release of aquarium fish. Experts emphasize that further monitoring is required to determine whether the specimen is a stray or part of an established breeding population affecting the local marine ecosystem.
