Israel's Nature and Parks Authority warns against diving near sharks at Hadera power station

Israel's Nature and Parks Authority has warned the public not to dive or snorkel near sharks at the Hadera power station due to strong currents, whirlpools, and fishing gear. The sharks, a protected species, gather there from November to May. A fatal encounter occurred in April 2025.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority warns the public against diving and snorkeling near the sharks that congregate near the Hadera power plant. The authority emphasizes that the area is off-limits for swimming due to strong currents and whirlpools at the warm water outlet, as well as abundant fishing gear, including hooks and lines, that can endanger divers. The sharks, of two species — dusky and sandbar — arrive in the area annually between November and May. The authority reminds that sharks are a protected natural asset, and it is forbidden to harm, harass, or feed them. Encounters with sharks are unpredictable, and in April 2025 such an encounter ended in a tragic death. Yigal Ben Ari, director of the authority's marine unit, explains that sharks in the Mediterranean suffer from population decline due to overfishing, and their importance lies in maintaining marine ecosystems.