Off the Israeli coast, The Tower’s photographer took his camera underwater to meet the fish that might the change the world.
Fifteen kilometers off the coast of the Israeli port city, Ashdod, at the depth of the Mediterranean’s “sunlight zone,” a soundless technological breakthrough is occurring. One of only a tiny number of open-sea fish farms in the world, Dagei Eichut (“quality fish”) is farm-raising tuna and sea bream in the closest thing to their natural environment.
The developments unfolding below the surface stand to change the global fishing industry, as demand for fresh fish continues to rise as ocean stocks plummet. With the fish swimming in open waters, and not trapped in bays or pools, the technology powering the Dagei Eichut farms could offer the world a new horizon for truly sustainable fishing.
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Banner Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
- Photos: Beneath the Holy Waters / Aviram Valdman
Though it lacks the maritime reputation of its Mediterranean neighbors, Israel’s coastline is rich with life. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The Dagei Eichut farms use a submersible cage system developed by Israeli company SUBflex to create its open-sea farms. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Though a considerable advance in “aquaculture,” the farms still require significant human expertise to monitor and maintain systems. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The resulting are farmed sea bream and tuna that are as close to fresh, wild fish as anything the industry has produced to date. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The farm and its staff, however, contend with serious risk, including the dusky shark, one of which recently bit off a farm worker’s hand. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Israeli aquaculture technology is now being exported, as countries like Poland are using it to power their own fish farms. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
In addition to technology, fish-specific methods, like Israel-developed tilapia farming, are having a major impact. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Other Israeli companies, like AquaMaof, are learning to deal with the changing temperatures and currents while reducing energy costs. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Another major ecological benefit of Israel’s open-sea farms is more natural waste distribution. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
We’re going to need a bigger boat. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The farms have also provided experts with precious data on open-sea farming, leading to increased potential. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
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