"This is a big win for the coral reef, the environmental organizations and justice of the law. The government came to a decision that is beneficial to all. The coral reef will be able to recover and the fish farmers will have sufficient time to find an environmentally friendly way to raise their fish."

 

After many years of demonstrations, legal battles, court decisions, and committee decisions, the government has finally decided to save the national treasure of Israel's coral reef and remove the fish cages from the Gulf of Eilat. All the efforts of the green organizations who created a strong united front to fight against the fish cages, and the tens of thousands of citizens who backed the campaign by sending letter and postcards to the ministers, ultimately paid off.

 

Following a long discussion on the subject, the ministers came to a clear-cut decision that the fish cages will be removed in three stages over the next three years. By the end of the first year, one third of the fish cages will be removed. A committee will be set up to follow the process.

 

This groundbreaking decision also happened to fall on World Environment Day. Appropriately, Zalul believes that this decision will bear an impact on all countries with coral reefs who are battling against fish farmers who want to set up cages nearby reefs.