Marine biology

How a BGU researcher is manipulating crustaceans to protect the environment – and fight disease

Ben-Gurion University’s Prof. Amir Sagi is creating monosex crustacean populations to transform agriculture and protect ecosystems

A wild-type crustacean in molecular research at the Sagi Laboratory at BGU
The center cares for injured sea turtles, and works to rehabilitate sea turtle populations. Erez Erlichman, Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityPremiumPremium

450 female green sea turtles left in the Mediterranean – 27 of them chose Israel

Sea turtle rescued from fishing lines off the coast of Caesarea.

Marine researchers rescue sea turtle tangled in fishing line off the coast of Caesarea

 A free-diver swims next to Sandbar sharks in the Mediterranean sea near the northern Israeli coastal city of Hadera, on December 30, 2022.

'I noticed two shadows in the water': Two sharks spotted at Beit Yanai Beach


Light pollution at night severely disrupts coral reproductive cycle

Last month, researchers at Tel Aviv University found that certain reef-building corals in the Red Sea’s Gulf of Eilat have lost their synchrony, “dramatically reducing” their chances of reproducing.

Bundles release post spawning of the coral Acropora millepora (control corals, no light pollution)

Dolphin attacked by shark in first recorded incident in Israel

"Since here in Israel we had not yet identified a single dolphin with scars, it had led us to think that there are no - or almost no - such attacks."

Dolphin attacked by shark near Israel, 2020

Metal-eating bacteria identified for the first time

Bacteria that gain their energy from eating metal have long been suspected to exist, but have never before been identified.

Manganese dioxide (illustrative)

Israeli, Arab, int’l scientists call for action to save Red Sea corals

Achieving regional cooperation between countries such as Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia presents unique challenges, but the scientific community is ready to do its part.

The Red Sea Simulator at the inter-university institute in Eilat allows for continuous, automated monitoring of 80 aquariums