Municipal authorities fined two fishermen for using drones to fish at a Haifa beach on Monday.
According to the Haifa Municipality Coastal Division, following multiple early reports, inspectors apprehended two fishermen from Nazareth at Bat Galim beach who were using drones.
The inspectors informed the two of the dangers associated with drone fishing, which involves a drone carrying a line with a hook through the water. They also confiscated the drones and issued fines to the two.
Head of Haifa’s Coastal Division, Rita Sassi, said that using drones for fishing is dangerous and can result in “injuries to swimmers and significant harm to marine animals.”
Drone-carried fishing lines are hazardous
Fishing lines carried by drones can snap easily, harming swimmers and animals. Sea turtles, an endangered species, are one of the many marine animals that inhabit Haifa’s coastline and are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing lines.
In a statement, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav declared that the municipality wouldn’t tolerate violations of fishing regulations
“The use of drones for fishing is prohibited and dangerous, as it can cause serious injuries to swimmers and significant harm to marine animals," Yahav stated. "The Coastal Division will continue to act decisively to ensure public safety and the protection of the beaches and marine life.”