Israel

Marine Protected Areas of Israel

Israel’s 204 km long coastline borders the Mediterranean (190 km) and Red Seas (14 km) [1]. Israel’s territorial water (12 nm) is approximately 4,200 sq km [1]. Israel has nine designated, and eight proposed marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Sea [2]. Fourteen of these areas are described as being “strictly marine”[2]. All of these areas are established in one of the following categories; Marine Protected Area, National Park or Nature Reserve. The management authority for all of Israel’s MPAs is the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). In late 2011 Israel adopted new science-based marine policies.

Sources [1] “Ecosystem Approaches to Coastal and Ocean Management Marine Protected Areas as an Ecosystem-Approach tool: Israel Red and Med(iterranean) Seas” Dr. Ruthy Yahel, Science Division, Israel Nature and Parks Authority. (Powerpoint presentation).

[2] MedPAN Israel MPAs