Following algae proliferation in the sea: The Ministry of Health's unusual recommendation

The Ministry of Health announced today (Thursday) that it recommends ordering a temporary ban on fishing in the area where treatment was carried out following algae proliferation in the Mediterranean Sea, near desalination plants, as well as in the adjacent buffer zone.

The recommendation was forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture following an opinion from the Ministry of Health, according to which there is currently uncertainty regarding the identity of the algae and the effects of the treatment carried out in the sea. Due to information gaps, the ministry recommends exercising extra caution until further findings are received.

According to the Ministry of Health, fishing may be resumed after receiving monitoring results that will verify that no abnormal findings were found in the fish and the marine environment and that there is no indication of a risk to public health.

The ministry emphasized that the recommendation does not stem from a proven risk, but is intended as a precautionary measure. It further clarified that the recommendation concerns fishing in the area where the treatment was carried out and not the consumption of fish already marketed to the public.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health stated that the incident does not affect the quality of drinking water and that there is no impediment to drinking tap water.