Breaking Update
Fishing Ban Imposed During Breeding Season: May 1 to June 30
Israel imposes a fishing ban from May 1 to June 30, 2026, to protect marine ecosystems during the breeding season, based on expert committee recommendations.
Jerusalem, 16 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — as part of the effort to preserve the ecosystem in the mediterranean Sea, the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security announced a fishing ban period during the breeding season between May 1 and June 30, 2026, and the suspension of trawl fishing during the recruitment season between July 1 and August 31, 2026.
The move is intended to ensure the prosperity of local fishing, while allowing for fishing using selective methods, and is based for the first time on the recommendations of a broad professional committee with the participation of government ministries, academic researchers, and representatives of the fishing community.
For the first time, the arrangements were formulated on the recommendation of a broad professional committee and with the participation of representatives of government ministries, academic researchers and representatives of the fishing public. As part of the decisions, a list of fish species prohibited from fishing throughout the entire breeding period and in all fishing, methods was established.
A dedicated program will be implemented to monitor the effectiveness of fishing restrictions and permits during this period. During these months, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nature and Parks Authority are expected to strengthen marine supervision.
