Sharks Return to Hadera Coast: Israel Issues Warning After Fatal Attack

Israel's Nature and Parks Authority has issued a public warning following the seasonal return of sharks to the waters near the Hadera power plant, urging swimmers, divers, and snorkelers to avoid approaching them. The sharks gather in the area each year between November and May, attracted by the warm water discharged from the power station. Authorities emphasized that encounters with these animals are unpredictable and uncontrollable and could have fatal consequences.

The warning comes following the death of Barak Tzach, who was killed in a shark attack off Hadera Beach in April 2025. The authority stressed that sharks are not confined to the waters surrounding the power plant, with sightings reported at other beaches across Israel. As a result, the warning against approaching sharks applies to the country's entire coastline.

Dangerous Currents and Other Hazards

In addition to the dangers posed by the sharks themselves, the area surrounding the power plant's warm-water discharge is characterized by powerful currents and whirlpools that can endanger swimmers and divers. Abandoned fishing equipment, including hooks and loose fishing lines, presents an additional hazard.

The sharks that gather along Israel's coast include several dozen individuals belonging to two species: dusky sharks and sandbar sharks. Dusky sharks in Israeli waters can reach approximately three meters in length and weigh around 150 kilograms, while sandbar sharks can grow to about two meters and weigh approximately 70 kilograms. Both species can be identified by their prominent dorsal fins.

Research conducted in the area suggests that the sharks congregate near Hadera to rest and take advantage of the warmer waters, which support physiological processes such as digestion and reproduction.

Sharks Protected Under Israeli Wildlife Laws

The Nature and Parks Authority also reminded the public that sharks are protected wildlife under Israeli law. Sandbar sharks are classified as endangered in the Mediterranean, while insufficient data is available to determine the conservation status of the region's dusky shark population.

Harming, harassing, or feeding sharks is prohibited by law and may result in criminal penalties. Authorities are urging the public to respect the animals' natural habitat and avoid any activity that could disturb them during their seasonal stay along Israel's coast.