Sharks pay Ashkelon a visit
A large group of Hammerhead Sharks arrive at Ashkelon beaches where the summer officially begins on Sunday
ASHKELON - About 15-20 Hammerhead Sharks have been swimming next to the local Ashkelon power station, in southern Israel for the past few days.
However, the sharks have not caused a public scare, and local swimmers ehave njoyed sharing the water’s coolness with them.
“I don’t think you need to be afraid. The sharks are in Ashkelon, but they are too far away." local fisherman Nissim Kastentini said. "I also scuba-dive sometimes as far as 500 meters (about 0.3 mile) from the beach and I have never met sharks.”
“A friend ran into one shark, but it’s not characteristic, I suppose they won’t come near us,” Kasntini added.
Mixed feelings
Veteran sunbather, Esther said she has been visiting Ashkelon beach for 30 years on a daily basis and has never seen a shark.
However, Ashkelon municipality beach supervisor Oren Shani said he has concerns regarding the sharks.
“I think that in order to prevent the public from panicking, we need marine and environmental experts...to perform tests and tell us precisely whether danger exists or not, and whether we have to warn the public,” Shani said. “I intend to inform all appropriate authorities regarding this matter on Sunday and have the tests performed.”
New attraction
The marine visitors have turned into new hobby for the local power plant workers, as they have been taking most their breaks near the turbine engine of the station, to enjoy the sight of the large fish in the waters.
Apparently, this is the shark’s favorite spot in the area because of the warm currents the turbines create.
Levi Azran, one of the station’s veteran workers said they look quite dangerous.
"Sometimes they get really close to the coal peer, so that the distance from the beach is relatively small," he said. "For us, it is almost an attraction.”
