Pool of sharks swarm off Israel's shore

Record ID: 165522

  • Title: Pool of sharks swarm off Israel's shore
  • Date: 24th January 2017
  • Summary: HADERA, ISRAEL (JANUARY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) BOAT IN SHALLOW WATER
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2017 11:04
  • Keywords: Israel sharks
  • Location: HADERA, HAIFA, ISRAEL
  • City: HADERA, HAIFA, ISRAEL
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife
  • Reuters ID: LVA00860FVJO9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Several dozens of dusky and sandbar sharks were spotted swarming near the coastline in northern Israel, drawing shark enthusiasts, divers and photographers to flock to the shore.
    The sharks, which could reach up to three meters (10 feet) in length, were apparently drawn by the warm water discharged from the Hadera power station turbines.
    Using drones in the air and underwater camera equipment deep in the sea water, shark enthusiasts shared their images of the sharks.
    Adi Barash, a marine student of Haifa University who has been conducting research on sharks, said the phenomenon is unique, particularly in the Mediterranean.
    "This is amazing, you can actually stand from the shore and watch the sharks in the water, we don't know any other place like this definitely not in the Mediterranean. Sharks are disappearing all over the world and the worst place to be a shark is in the Mediterranean, they are decreasing very fast in numbers and the fact that you can see sharks here, big sharks close to shore is amazing," said Barash, overlooking the Mediterranean coastline.
    But Barash said the reason for the phenomenon in recent years is still unclear.
    "We don't know yet why they are coming there, it might be just because of the warm water, it might be because there is more food there, it might be for the gestation period, for the pregnancy but we don't know yet".
    Reports and images of the pool of sharks in recent days have attracted divers and swimmers alike but authorities have cautioned that although the predators are not threatening, they are wild animals that need to be protected and respected.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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