An Overview of Israeli Marine Aquaculture
The chronic shortage of fresh water in the State of Israel obliged the government to facilitate research and development in the field of Mariculture. The program started in the late1960’s and continues to the present. The main body that conducts the Research and Development (R&D) program is the National Center of Mariculture (NCM), located in Eilat on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat.
An alternative method for fish production is in cages. Fish are produced in floating cages in the open sea, protected bays or inland lakes. There are also fixed production pens where the enclosing net reaches the bottom of the water body.
An Overview of Israeli Inland Aquaculture
The global aquaculture industry is divided into different categories. These categories include production of fish in fresh and brackish water (with low salinity, approaching freshwater), and production of fish in salt water. Production is mainly for human consumption, as fresh, chilled, frozen or processed products. Ornamental fish are also produced for aquariums and ornamental garden ponds.
Israel is located in a semi-arid zone, with a wet winter and dry summer, and a low average annual rainfall of around 500 mm/year, with the majority occurring in the central-north areas of the country. The only large inland water body is the Lake of Galilee, which mainly supplies drinking water for human consumption. In spite of the obvious climatic constraints and overall shortage of water, both agriculture and aquaculture are highly developed in Israel.