Sharks Return to Hadera Power Plant, Authorities Issue Strong Public Warning
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Dozens of sharks have returned to the waters near Israel's Hadera power station, prompting the Nature and Parks Authority to issue a severe warning against swimming and diving. The authority cited a fatal shark encounter in April 2025 and warned of dangerous currents and discarded fishing gear in the area. Sharks are a protected species in Israel, and the public is urged not to disturb them, as they play a vital role in marine ecosystem balance.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dozens of sharks have returned to the waters near the Hadera power station, prompting a public warning.
- Authorities warn against diving and snorkeling due to sharks, dangerous currents, and discarded fishing gear.
- A fatal shark encounter occurred in April 2025, highlighting the risks of approaching the animals.
- Sharks are a protected species in Israel, and harming them is illegal.
- The sharks are drawn to the warm water discharged from the power station annually.
- Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem.
Dozens of sharks have returned to the waters near the Hadera power station, prompting the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) to issue a severe warning against diving and snorkeling in the area. The INPA is urging the public to avoid entering the water due to the presence of the sharks, as well as dangerous currents and whirlpools. The authority recalled a fatal encounter in April 2025 where a person entered the water and died after an encounter with a shark. The area where the sharks congregate is strictly forbidden for swimming.
The sharks are a yearly phenomenon, typically appearing between November and May, drawn to the warm water discharged from the power station. While this attracts attention for the chance to observe them, the INPA stresses that approaching them is extremely dangerous. Beyond the risk posed by the sharks themselves, strong currents, whirlpools, and discarded fishing gear like hooks and lines present additional hazards to swimmers and divers.
The warning extends beyond Hadera, as sharks have been sighted along other Israeli coastlines. The INPA emphasizes that any encounter with a shark during diving or snorkeling anywhere in Israel requires immediate avoidance of the animal, citing the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of such meetings and the deadly 2025 incident as proof of the risks.
Sharks are a protected natural value in Israel, and harming, harassing, or feeding them is illegal and punishable by law. The INPA requests the public to allow the sharks to remain undisturbed. The annual aggregation includes several dozen sharks of two main species: the Sandbar shark, which can reach up to three meters and 150 kilograms, and the Spiny dogfish, reaching two meters and 70 kilograms. The Spiny dogfish is endangered in the Mediterranean, while the Sandbar shark's population status is uncertain.
Research suggests the sharks come to Hadera to rest and warm up in the discharged water, which aids digestion and reproductive processes. Yigal Ben Ari, Director of the Marine Unit at the INPA, explained that sharks are crucial for marine ecosystem balance, preying on weaker animals and thus strengthening other species. He noted that Mediterranean shark populations are severely depleted due to overfishing, with many unintentionally caught sharks being returned to the sea dead or dying.
