Israel Bans Fishing Near Ashkelon Due to Pesticide Spraying

Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has imposed a temporary fishing ban along a stretch of the Mediterranean coast following the spraying of pesticides over algae. The ban, which extends from the coast of Ashkelon to the Gaza Strip border and up to 10 kilometers offshore, will remain in effect until October 7, 2026. This measure was implemented based on recommendations from the Ministry of Health and comes after the spraying operation caused a temporary shutdown of desalination plants. The ministry stated that the decision was made to ensure public safety and prevent potential contamination of marine life and the food chain.

The spraying operation was conducted to combat a significant bloom of algae that had impacted the marine environment. While the exact nature of the pesticides used has not been fully disclosed, the Ministry of Health advised caution due to potential health risks associated with exposure. The fishing ban aims to prevent any contaminated fish from entering the market and to allow time for the affected marine area to recover.