In Hadera, Israel, local law enforcement continued their search efforts along the Mediterranean coast on Tuesday, following suspicions of a potential shark incident involving a swimmer. The region has often experienced interactions between humans and marine predators, prompting concern and consistent warnings from conservationists.
For years, both endangered dusky and sandbar sharks have been known to frequent the vicinity, captivating those who go out of their way to see them up close. While experts urge against getting too close to these wild animals, many people ignore such warnings, risking their safety. This was the case on Monday when police swiftly began their investigations after receiving reports of an alleged shark attack at a beach located near Hadera.
As of Tuesday, authorities opted to temporarily close the beach and deploy search teams, utilizing boats and underwater devices to locate the individual in question. Details about the swimmer remain scarce, but initial reports suggest he intentionally swam in proximity to the sharks. During a national holiday week, Israelis gathered en masse at the beach, interacting with no less than a dozen sharks. Some vacationers pulled on the sharks’ fins or offered them food. Dusky sharks can reach lengths of 4 meters (around 13 feet) and weigh approximately 350 kilograms (750 pounds), whereas sandbar sharks typically grow up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) and weigh about 100 kilograms (220 pounds).
Yigael Ben-Ari, who leads the marine rangers division at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, stated uncertainty regarding the man’s behavior near the sharks but took the opportunity to remind the public to avoid water when sharks are present, emphasizing they should not attempt to touch or interact with these animals.
A video clip broadcasted by Israeli media depicted a shark swimming closely towards bathers in shallow water. As one person filming exclaimed about the shark’s size while urging those nearby to remain motionless, a nearby boy expressed his intention to exit the water. Despite advisories from the parks authority against such interactions, many ignored safety guidelines.
According to Ben-Ari, this incident could mark only the third recorded shark attack in the nation, with the last fatal occurrence dating back to the 1940s. The area itself is notably popular with sharks due to warm water discharge from an adjacent power station, drawing several sharks annually between October and May. Despite restrictions on swimming in this zone, enforcement has had limited success.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, an environmental organization, expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation, noting a lack of regulation that has resulted in chaotic interactions between humans and wildlife. They stress the importance of implementing safety measures and suggest establishing a designated observation area safe from immediate shark encounters.
In response to the incident and ongoing safety concerns, officials proceeded with a decision to close the involved beach and those nearby to protect the public.