Search Underway for Swimmer Feared Attacked by Shark Off Israeli Coast

Israeli police are searching the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Hadera for a swimmer who is feared to have been attacked by a shark, as per The AP.

The incident occurred in an area known for seasonal congregations of endangered dusky and sandbar sharks, raising concerns about the safety of beachgoers who often interact with the animals.

The search was launched on Monday after reports that a swimmer was attacked near a beach. As of Tuesday, the beach near Hadera remained closed while search teams used boats and underwater equipment to locate the missing man. While the swimmer’s identity remains unknown, Israeli media reports suggest he had intended to swim with the sharks.

For years, a “shiver” of dusky and sandbar sharks has been drawn to the warm waters near Hadera, a result of the effluent released by a nearby power plant. This phenomenon has attracted both locals and tourists who often approach the sharks, prompting conservation groups to repeatedly warn authorities about the potential dangers.

Despite warnings, many beachgoers have been observed swimming close to the sharks, even touching their fins and feeding them fish. Dusky sharks can reach lengths of up to 13 feet and weigh 750 pounds, while sandbar sharks grow to around 8 feet and 220 pounds.

Yigael Ben-Ari, head of Israel’s Parks and Nature Authority’s marine ranger force, emphasized the need for public responsibility. “The public has a responsibility to recognize that it shouldn’t enter the waters and definitely should not touch or play with the sharks,” he stated.

One video circulating on Israeli media shows a shark swimming close to bathers in shallow water.

The Parks and Nature Authority has consistently advised against approaching the sharks, stating:

“Like every wild animal, the sharks’ behavior may be unpredictable.”

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) said the incident was a result of fishermen, boats, divers, surfers and snorkelers intersecting dangerously with a wild animal that “is not accustomed to being around crowds of people.” SPNI called for designated safe zones to allow people to view the sharks from a distance.

According to Ben-Ari, there have only been two previous recorded shark attacks in Israel, one of which was fatal in the 1940s. Israeli authorities have closed the beach near Hadera, along with other nearby beaches, as the search for the missing swimmer continues.