Israel Ministry of the Environment - Eilat’s Fish Farms

Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection

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Eilat’s Fish Farms
Homepage > Environmental Topics > Marine and Coastal Environment > Protecting the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba > Eilat’s Fish Farms

	Eilat's Fish Farms.Photo by: Ilan Malester

	Eilat's Fish Farms.Photo by: Ilan Malester

Updated: 22/06/2008

Two commercial fish farms (floating fish cages) were established on the Red Sea, close to the Jordanian-Israeli border at the northern tip of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, in 1995. The annual production of these farms was about 2000 tons while the feeding rate reached 4150 tons of a 45% protein diet.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has contended for years that these fish farms have significantly contributed to nutrient loading in Eilat?s waters and subsequently to the deterioration of the coral reef. Therefore, in light of the ecological emergency in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, the Ministry of Environmental Protection repeatedly called for the implementation of the precautionary principle which dictates a stop to any activity suspected of causing damage until it is proven that it is not harmful. Implementation of this principle means the removal of the fish farms from the Gulf waters.

On June 17, 2008, in accordance with a government decision dating back to June 5, 2005, the last of the fish was removed from the fish cages in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba.

Files For Download:

Eilat’s Fish Farms: In? Out?, Israel Environment Bulletin, Vol. 28, January 2005.
(232KB)

Landmarks in the Fish Cage Controversy

‎ International Expert Team on Evaluation of Pollution in the Gulf of Eilat

Reactions to the International Expert Team Report

Research Projects in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba

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