A swordfish was caught in the Gulf of Eilat — and hung from a crane in the city center
A large marine predator was caught in the city of Aqaba in Jordan and is defined by local residents as "the largest animal caught in recent years." Swordfish tend to migrate to the area during the hot summer months. Unlike the neighboring country, fishing in Israel is subject to strict licensing and location restrictions.
Fishermen from Aqaba caught a giant swordfish today (Sunday). On social media, it was claimed that this is the largest marine animal caught in the area in recent years. The marine predator was caught in the waters of the gulf and attracted many onlookers.
The swordfish is known as a large predator that migrates frequently. It can be seen in the Gulf of Eilat and Aqaba mainly in the summer months when the water is warm. The fish has a round and elongated body, and its upper jaw is elongated, flat, and resembles a sword that it uses as a weapon. Local fishermen explained that in the hot summer months, swordfish are common in the gulf and this is the season to fish for them.
Documentation from the field illustrates the size of the catch. In the footage on social media, the fish is seen hanging in the air above a cargo vehicle using lifting straps, surrounded by a crowd of people. Another video on social media shows several men holding the long jaw of the fish as it lies on a display stand outside a fish shop.
The catch in Aqaba took place in an area where fishing does not require a license. Conversely, fishing in Eilat requires an appropriate license. Fishing with a rod from the shore in Eilat is permitted only in designated areas that are not marine nature reserves, such as the Electric Company beach area and the eastern beach. In addition, it is possible to fish in the deep sea, beyond the 300-meter coastline, provided that these are areas not declared as nature reserves or bathing beaches.
