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Because of the pollution: Prohibition of bathing on beaches | Israel today

2021-02-21T13:01:15.734Z


| around the Tar has covered the shores of Israel in recent days, and the Ministries of the Interior, Health and Environmental Protection have called for it not to be reached. • Netanyahu: "We will bring a budget for cleaning to the government" Due to the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea and the beaches in tar, the Ministries of the Interior, Environmental Protection and Health are informing the general pub


Tar has covered the shores of Israel in recent days, and the Ministries of the Interior, Health and Environmental Protection have called for it not to be reached. • Netanyahu: "We will bring a budget for cleaning to the government"

Due to the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea and the beaches in tar, the Ministries of the Interior, Environmental Protection and Health are informing the general public not to reach the beaches for bathing, sports and leisure activities until further notice.

And warn that exposure to tar can be detrimental to health.

Recall that dozens of tons of viscous and thick tar, black and dangerous, cover the Israeli coastline.

"In all my 15 years at the Nature and Parks Authority, I have not encountered such a catastrophe. The amounts of tar are simply enormous, not to mention that almost the entire Israeli coastline is covered in it," Dr. Ruthi Yahel, the authority's marine ecologist, explains to Israel Today.

"We do not know the extent of such pollution. Rehabilitation of the coastal strip may take decades, what's more it includes all the habitats of the sandy bottom and rocky bottom. A few days ago there were places we did not see at all that were coated with tar - and now it is very noticeable. A thought about the total extent of the damage that will be revealed later. "

The dead whale ejected to Nitzanim Beach // David Halfon Nature and Parks Authority

It is still too early to assess about swimming in the sea, but it is clear that as the season warms up - we will breathe the tar on the beach in a significantly and therefore more dangerous way - to the point of breathing fuel fumes.

"Therefore, among other things, the great importance of removing as much tar as possible and as quickly as possible," she concluded. 

The immediate casualties are the animals that are attached to the bottom or rock and cannot move, including snails, algae, sea turtles, sea roses, oysters, crabs, snails and more.

The big concern is from the peripheral damage whose dimensions are unclear.

"Only in a few months can we begin to see what the long-term damage is. One of the concerns is the poisoning that will result from the pollution entering the ecosystem and then the damage will be systemic, meaning damage to fish, dolphins, sharks and large turtles at the super predator level," explains Dr. Yahel .

Tar pollution at Nitzanim Beach // Photo: The Green Police of the Ministry of Environmental Protection

As early as Wednesday, thousands of volunteers quickly mobilized to help clean the tar, a procedure that requires a unique briefing, special equipment and evacuation of the collected tar to designated treatment sites.

The "Association" volunteered to refer the many volunteers to organized cleaning operations of coastal authorities and other environmental organizations - and not to independent assistance in the field.

"The mobilization is amazing and respectful. We receive a lot of inquiries from organizations, schools, preparatory schools, the army, the mobilization is amazing and we are proud to take part in this important process," concluded Dr. Michal Stern, coordinator of the national network for emergency sea volunteers, "Equation".

The whale found at Nitzanim Beach died from substances derived from tar pollution

During a tour of the beach in Ashdod by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel, Netanyahu said: "I was very impressed by the volunteering of the citizens who came to clean the beaches, this is an example and a model. We must protect our beaches, our country, the environment.

"Minister Gamliel will bring to the government tomorrow (Monday) a plan with a budget to clean the beaches ... I am very impressed with the work of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Nature Protection and Citizens Authority. Citizenship is the most endearing, very impressive and touching thing. There is much more work here."

"The Ministry of Environmental Protection will urgently submit a decision-making proposal to the government, in order to obtain its approval for a rehabilitation plan for the Mediterranean shores and national preparation for marine and coastal pollution incidents," Gamliel said, adding that this decision includes immediate budgets For readiness and response, marine pollution in oil. "

"To overcome the battle, we need to raise tens of millions of shekels to be invested in cleaning the beaches. We have the option to sue the ship's insurance company responsible for the pollution, and we will do everything to locate it. Our moral duty to the public and the environment is to locate those responsible for the incident."

Today, a series of cleanups were renewed in various places, including Emek Hefer, Zevulun Beach, Acre, Mikhmoret, Dado Beach, Bat Galim and Carmel Beaches in Haifa, Acadia Beach South in Herzliya, Hasharon Beach and more.

On the other hand, today and tomorrow, volunteer activities will not be allowed in the Hof Hacarmel Regional Council due to the use of heavy tools for removing tar.

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2021-02-21

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