Thousands of Dead Fish Wash Ashore in Netanya, Heat Suspected Cause
Thousands of dead fish, primarily young mullet, were discovered washed ashore at the mouth of the Polag Stream on Netanya's southern beach shortly before Rosh Hashanah. The strong stench emanating from the decaying fish was significant. Experts from the Nature and Parks Authority and the Sharon Drainage and Rivers Authority were unable to identify any external pollution sources or spills. Initial theories about contamination from desalination plant turbidity were dismissed as the stream was not reaching the sea due to a lack of rainfall, resulting in a weak flow.
Professionals are now hypothesizing that the mass fish die-off was caused by extreme heat. "When there is little water in the stream, it heats up considerably, and combined with a high concentration of organic matter, this creates stressful conditions and low oxygen levels that sensitive fish cannot survive," explained a professional source. While mass fish deaths are not uncommon in Israeli streams, often due to sewage or industrial pollution, this is the first time such an event has occurred in the Polag Stream, especially on this scale. This situation is considered particularly difficult because it points to climate change, an issue that cannot be easily addressed.
While August in Israel was not exceptionally hot, the first week of September experienced relatively high temperatures, which may have contributed to the fish deaths. Another theory suggests an increase in mullet spawning in recent years has led to a larger population, thus increasing the potential for mass mortality. In response to similar issues in the Alexander Stream, the Sharon Drainage and Rivers Authority installed oxygenation devices to create "oxygen refuges" for fish during stressful periods. If the problem persists in Polag, similar installations may be considered.
The Nature and Parks Authority worked to clear the dead fish from the beach before the holiday, successfully removing most of them. The incident highlights the environmental challenges facing coastal streams, particularly in the context of changing climate conditions and reduced water flow.
