Swimming Season Ends at Sea of Galilee Amid Lower Visitor Numbers

The official swimming season at the Sea of Galilee, known locally as Kinneret, concluded on Saturday, October 10. This marks the end of lifeguard services at designated beaches, with other facilities like showers and restrooms potentially closing partially or fully. However, the beach areas themselves remain accessible for camping, and parking fees will continue to be collected at automated gates. Restrictions on loud music and amplification equipment at "quiet beaches" are enforced year-round, though managing noisy groups may be more challenging without the presence of inspectors and staff during the off-season.

Visitor numbers to the Kinneret were down this past season compared to the previous year. Approximately 2.5 million people visited 16 "quiet beaches" since the start of the year, a decrease from 3.3 million last year. The decline is attributed primarily to the state of emergency declared from February 28 to April 9 due to Operation "Lion's Roar," which coincided with the holidays of Passover and Eid al-Fitr. Public awareness of an amebic infection case reported by the Ministry of Health on September 6 also impacted attendance, leading to significantly lower numbers during the autumn holidays.

Another ongoing issue is the declining water level for the second consecutive year due to insufficient rainfall. This unusual situation necessitated continuous adjustments, including relocating lifeguard towers as the shoreline receded. The Kinneret Cities Association, in conjunction with the Water Authority and the Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, implemented extensive measures to mitigate ecological damage from the receding waters. These efforts involved volunteer and student groups in initiatives to save endangered mollusks and remove invasive plants.

During the swimming season, 1,924 fines were issued for violations related to cleanliness, boating safety, driving on beaches, and traffic and parking regulations. The Kinneret Cities Association also pursued legal action against serious offenders, with one individual fined 15,000 shekels for boating violations by the Tiberias Magistrate's Court. The "Safe Kinneret" video surveillance center, funded by the Ministry of National Security, responded to 211 incidents, with about 80% related to noise disturbances. The center also addressed traffic and water safety violations, violence, vandalism, medical emergencies, swimmer assistance, and missing persons.

Approximately 1,300 tons of garbage were removed from beaches managed by the Association by the end of the season, down from an annual average of around 2,000 tons, reflecting the reduced visitor numbers. Most waste came from designated collection points. During the 60 peak days of the season, about 25 sanitation workers were deployed daily, with additional staff managing restrooms and changing rooms in three shifts.