Society for Protection of Nature says it called on state four years ago to regulate shark areas

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel responds to reports that a shark has injured a swimmer near the Orot Rabin power plant in central Hadera, saying it called on the state four years ago to regulate human activity around the sharks that visit the warm waters of the station from October to May.

The group’s statement says, “Every winter, a unique phenomenon occurs in Israel in which sharks and rays gather at the outlet of the warm waters of the power stations. In the case of such a fascinating and public-attracting phenomenon, it would be appropriate to take conservation and safety measures for the public, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area.”

Fishermen, vessels, divers, surfers, snorkelers and regular civilians have been approaching the waters, threatening a shark breed that is in danger of extinction and is not accustomed to being so close to so many people, the nature protection group says.

The organization says it presented state authorities with a professional review of the situation four years ago

It recommended closing to fishing the waters frequented by the sharks, limiting motorized vessel access and defining a safe viewing area that allows the sharks to move freely and humans to view them safely.