The Sea of Galilee, known in Hebrew as the Kinneret, is nearing a critically low water level and this is affecting the safety of bathers in the sea as well as its fish population. The water shortage also threatens the fresh water supply to Israel's residents.
The sea's water level is currently reported at about 212.5 m. below sea level. This is just 50 cm. away from the "red line" of -213 m., the level at which the water supply situation is seen as worrying. It is not far away from the "black line," either: the absolute minimum level of -215 m.
Fishing down over 75%
Fishing statistics show a decline from 300 tons of fish that were harvested in the Kinneret five years ago, to less than 70 tons fished in 2007. Some observers claimed that the decline is due to the lower level of water in the lake. Others blamed a spate of fish poisonings, inadequate law enforcement and a slacking in the artificial repopulation of the lake, which is usually carried out by the government.
One of the fish affected is the Galilee Amnon, also known as Musht and the "St. Peter Fish," a favorite of Israelis as well as tourists.
The Ministry of Agriculture banned all fishing in the Kinneret in the past few months for one day in the week: Tuesday. The ministry is reportedly considering a complete moratorium on fishing for an entire year.
Diving birds to be chased out?
The sea's water level is currently reported at about 212.5 m. below sea level. This is just 50 cm. away from the "red line" of -213 m.
The ministry is also considering other options: greater enforcement of the fishing regulations, greater artificial repopulation, and even chasing away cormorants (diving birds) and sea predators that gobble up fish by the million.
Also worrisome is the increased danger of drowning as the water recedes. This happens because as the shore becomes more exposed, the water line nears the line at which the sea floor drops sharply underneath it (the "deep water shelf").
The maximum level of water between 1969 and 2008 was recorded in January of 1969, and reached -208.3 m. The minimal level in those years was -214.87 m.
The Knesset's Internal Affairs and Environment Committee held a discussion on the subject in mid-May as it announced the start of this year's bathing and swimming season. It also began the process of ratifying a law which would regulate the way beaches are run in Israel.
Managers of Beaches
The law would require local government councils which administer bathing beaches to appoint a Manager of Beaches. Required qualifications for lifeguards and paramedics need to be written up, and open-sided shelters for shade need to be constructed. In addition, the local authorities would have to take out insurance policies for the entire bathing season.
The National Inspector of Beaches, Yosef Amar, told the committee that the Ministry of Interior had instructed the local authorities aound the Kinneret to beef up supervision and put up warning signs in order to warn bathers of the precipitous drop which awaits them just a few meters from the shoreline.
The bathing season began May 6 and will continue until the end of October. Israel has 25 beaches on the Kinneret, 91 beaches on the Mediterranean coast, 22 beaches along the Dead Sea and two on the Red Sea.