Sharks Return to Hadera Power Station, Authorities Warn Divers

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has issued a warning against diving and snorkeling near the Hadera power station due to the annual return of dozens of sharks. The sharks, comprising two species, the Sandbar shark and the Dusky shark, gather annually between November and May in the warm water discharge area of the power station, a location prohibited for swimming. Authorities caution that beyond the risk of an unexpected encounter, the area presents strong currents and whirlpools that can be life-threatening. Discarded fishing hooks and lines also pose a danger to divers. Sharks have been sighted on other Israeli coastlines, prompting the authority to urge divers and snorkelers to maintain distance. In April 2025, a fatal encounter with a shark occurred when an individual entered the water. Research suggests the sharks seek the warm waters for rest and warmth, which may aid their biological processes. The Dusky shark is endangered in the Mediterranean, while information on the Sandbar shark population in the area is limited. Yigal Ben Ari, Director of the Marine Unit at the Nature and Parks Authority, explained that overfishing and accidental bycatch contribute to the decline of shark populations in the Mediterranean. The authority reminds the public that sharks are a protected natural value in Israel, and harming, harassing, or feeding them is illegal.