IDF and Nature Authority Relocate 10,000 Coral Colonies in Eilat Sea Conservation Project

A large-scale environmental and engineering operation has been underway for the past year off the coast of Eilat, Israel. This unprecedented collaboration between the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Ministry of Defense, and the Israeli Navy involves dismantling an outdated military pier from the 1950s. Beneath the sea, a major underwater rescue mission is relocating massive coral colonies, some weighing up to 80 kilograms and measuring 1.5 meters in length, to protect them from the demolition.

The operation requires extreme precision and care to avoid damaging coral colonies that have thrived for decades. Prior to the work, underwater robots mapped the seabed and the accumulated debris. Volunteer divers from the "Dolphin Reef" carefully detach the corals and transfer them to safe locations. Over 10,000 coral colonies have already been relocated, with some placed on special underwater tables serving as a "coral bank," while others remain in place alongside the debris to preserve thriving ecosystems.

The project not only safeguards marine life but also benefits science and the public. Rescued corals are directed toward three main uses: groundbreaking research at the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, creation of a new artificial reef accessible to divers and nature enthusiasts, and restoration of coastal areas for public and urban development as military base areas are reduced.

Shahar Ishkarov, Infrastructure Commissioner for the Nature and Parks Authority's Southern District, described the project as an unprecedented effort in natural restoration. After clearing the debris and relocating the corals, construction will begin on a new sea wall designed to protect both national security and the natural treasures of the Gulf of Eilat for future generations.