Latest news with #Fishermen
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
'The sea is ours': Gaza's last refuge sealed off under Israeli ban
For decades, the shores of the Mediterranean have been Gaza's lifeline, its source of food and income, but also a place of refuge and escape from the realities of Israeli occupation. But now, after 21 months of war, even that last refuge has been sealed off. Israel has issued military orders banning Palestinians in the enclave from one of their last sources of joy – the sea. Gazans are forbidden by new directives from swimming in the waters, while fishermen are prohibited from setting out to sea. "The forces will deal with any violation to these restrictions," Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X. 'We urge fishermen, swimmers and divers to refrain from entering the sea. Entering the sea along the strip puts you at risk." 'We live off the sea' The decision not only ruins the already collapsing fishing industry but also cuts off one of the last remaining spaces where Gazans could breathe, bathe and briefly forget about the daily devastation that surrounds them. 'We live off the sea. If there's no fishing, we don't eat,' Munthir Ayash, 52, a fisherman from Gaza city, told The National. 'Me, my five sons and their families – 45 people in total – depend entirely on the sea. With it closed, we face starvation.' Mr Ayash has been fishing since childhood. Like thousands of others, he has braved sniper fire, naval raids and aerial bombardment just to reach Gaza's nearshore waters, never more than 700 metres from land, due to Israeli-imposed limits. 'Even that short distance was dangerous," he said. "The army fires sound bombs, smoke grenades and bullets. But we kept going. It's our only way to survive.' But now, even that risk is no longer possible. The Israeli army has officially declared Gaza's coastal waters off-limits. For Mr Ayash and many others, this is a telling blow. Zakaria Bakr, head of the Palestinian Fishermen's Syndicate in Gaza, believes the move is not a security measure but a deliberate war strategy. 'Since the war began, the sea has been under siege like everything else in Gaza,' Mr Bakr said. 'We were only allowed to fish up to 700 metres, a useless range. And any attempt to go further was met with live fire. Many were killed or injured.' Now, with a full closure in place, Mr Bakr said more than 6,000 people working in the fishing sector will lose their livelihoods. More than 210 have been killed since the war began in October 2023, including 60 fishermen. About 95 per cent of boats and fishing equipment have already been destroyed by Israeli naval and air attacks.' Fish production is zero now, he said. "It used to be 3,500 tonnes a year. Nothing moves in the sea any more. This isn't just about fishing, it's about food security. Two million people in Gaza depended on fish to survive.' Mr Bakr calls the ban part of a broader, systematic effort to starve Gaza. 'This is not about security. It's economic, social and psychological warfare, a weapon of slow, deliberate suffocation.' The sea was not only for fishing, it was for living, Ibrahim Dawla, 26, a displaced Palestinian from Gaza's Al Zaytoun neighbourhood, now living in a tent near the shore, told The National. "I used to go every day. The sea was where I bathed, where I relaxed, where I ran from the horror of war. Now even that's gone.' 'Where we felt human again' Mr Dawla, like many Gazans, depended on the sea for basic hygiene in the absence of clean water. It was also one of the few open spaces left where people could gather to talk, swim, or sit, shaded from the destruction. 'People here die a million times every hour, We needed the sea just to feel human again, even if only for a few minutes. And they knew that. That's why they shut it down,' he said of the Israelis. Even before the official closure, Israeli gunboats regularly opened fire on beachgoers. Still, people came. 'We called it our last breathing space. We knew it was dangerous, but it was the only place we had left.' Now, he says, the beach is empty. 'I haven't gone for two days. None of my friends have either. We're all afraid we'll be shot just for standing there.' For Gaza's fishermen, the war has not only destroyed their boats, it has erased a culture, a livelihood passed from father to son for generations. Mr Ayash recalls how even during past escalations, they could always fall back on the sea. 'We could always find a way to fish. It gave us hope. But this time, they want to take everything. They want to erase us.' He pauses, eyes scanning the shoreline. 'But the sea is ours. The land is ours. No matter how hard they try, it will stay ours.'
The Sun
19-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
British seas being invaded by huge European octopuses devouring our crabs and lobsters
BRITISH seas have been invaded by huge European octopuses devouring our crabs and lobsters. The creatures have swum from the Mediterranean to the coast of Devon and Cornwall. They break into crab and lobster pots 'totally destroying' the seafood. Fishermen have urged authorities to relax a bylaw stopping them selling 5kg octopus they find in their pots for £7 per kilo to eager Spain. One, Brian Tapper from Plymouth, said: 'This time of year we'd normally see 60 to 100kg of lobster a day and 500-800kg of crab. 'Last week we had 8kg of lobster and 50kg of crab. "Suspending the law means we could ride out this Biblical invasion.' The Devon & Severn Fisheries Authority ruled boats can exclusively target octopus. But they cannot keep any found trapped in crab or lobster pots. Watch as male model is dragged underwater by OCTOPUS - as beast crawls over his body & snares him in its tentacles 1
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Atlantic coastal trail in Portugal a slice of paradise for hikers
PORTO COVO, Portugual - Surfers all over the world hail Portugal's Atlantic Coast as one of the most exhilarating places to ride the waves. So a combined surfing and hiking holiday in Alentejo on Portugal's southern coastline would seem obvious. However, hikers making their way along the Trilho dos Pescadores quickly forget about surfing as they are wowed by the views along the Fishermen's Path. The long sandy São Torpes beach beckons at the south of the coastal town of Sines. Some may be more inclined to stop for awhile and sunbathe at this trailhead. Others do not succumb and heave their rucksack onto their back, lace up their boots and go hiking. The route has lots of beauty spots to reward you for the effort. Praia de Morgavel, Praia do Burrinho, Praia da Samoqueira are the enchanting names of just a few lonely bays and unspoiled beaches on the initial leg to Porto Covo. You may be tempted to linger but be warned - finding accommodation between the few fishing villages that mark the daily stages is impossible. After a fortnight of touring the Atlantic coast between Porto Covo and Cape of São Vicente on Portugal's south-western tip in a camper van with a friend, a tourist, Lukas Pauluhn from Würzburg in southern Germany, suggested surfers should avoid the Trilho dos Pescadores. The path requires perhaps a slightly masochistic streak coupled with an ability to withstand mental strain. The unabating, thunderous Atlantic breakers can be heard along the entire fishing trail, as the path winds over cliffs, through dunes and the odd sandy beach as well. "Europe's best surfing hotspots are here. The waves are great all year round and there are hardly any surfers in the water. And look at this beautiful, empty beach," he says, pointing from the cliff to the beach of Malhão, south of Porto Covo. Not for the faint-hearted The Fishermen's Path runs mainly through the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park. Hikers cross centuries-old paths that fishermen and village barnacle collectors still use today to get along the coast. "You're really hiking right by the sea all day," says Carmelo, a pensioner from Huesca, Spain. That's good because there is hardly any shade on the route. So at least the fresh sea breeze cools you down a bit, he pointed out. However, the narrow sandy paths are very close to the cliffs, some of which are close to 100 feet high, Carmelo remarked, adding: "You definitely can't be afraid of heights on this hiking trail." He and his wife, Adelina, definitely do not lack enthusiasm and were still toying with the idea of walking the entire Fishermen's Path to Lagos on the Algarve coast - a distance of 135 miles divided into 13 stages. From beach to mighty cliffs After Malhão beach, the path leads into an untouched dune landscape. This ever-changing scenery morphs from beaches to mighty cliffs as far as Vila Nova de Milfontes. The day ends with a refreshing swim in the Mira River followed by local delicacies and a glass of wine in the rustic Tasca do Celso wine bar in Vila Nova de Milfontes. This striking coastal village is a true eye-catcher with its whitewashed houses and Fort São Clemente built on the waterfront. Below the castle, a small ferry is on hand to cross the river and to save you a diversion over the inland bridge. The next stage to Almograve on the following day is quite short at 10 miles, but no less spectacular. On disembarking the ferry, we pass through cork oak forests. Later, yellow and pink flowers glow in the dunes as well as purple gorse carnations. Cistus, juniper and rosemary waft along the way until the path leads over Praia do Brejo Largo – another dazzling beach against a backdrop of overgrown rocks. The next day, we pass the small fishing port of Lapa das Pombas, after which the dunes turn red, yellow and white. The rocky landscape becomes more and more rugged. On the steep cliffs near the Cabo Sardão lighthouse, storks nest on the narrow rock slats that stretch down to the sea. The song of black throats or robins can be heard all day. The trail then branches off to the Herdade do Touril country hotel with a saltwater pool in which to bathe our weary bodies. A menu of hearty country food whets our appetites. The nearby village of Zambujeira do Mar gleams in glorious white atop a rocky cliff. A swim in the Atlantic Misty dew lends the rocky landscape en route to Odeceixe a mystical air. After a few kilometres, the path through a game reserve with zebras seems surreal. Several bathing spots line the way to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar. Now, the Ponta em Branco lookout is nigh with its panoramic vista of yet another beautiful beach. The section of the Trilho dos Pescadores through the Alentejo region ends in Praia de Odeceixe. Hikers are now about half way. Continue along the Algarve coast to Lagos, if you wish. Alternatively, stop and rest and take a dip in the Atlantic. And if that's too much of a swirl, stroll across the sandbank to the calmer riverbank where the Ribeira de Seixe washes the beach before flowing into the sea. _______ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
The Star
02-05-2025
- The Star
Hiking Europe's surfing paradise in southern Portugal
Surfers all over the world hail Portugal's Atlantic Coast as one of the most exhilarating places to ride the waves. So, a combined surfing and hiking holiday in Alentejo on Portugal's southern coastline would seem obvious. However, hikers making their way along the Trilho dos Pescadores quickly forget about surfing as they are wowed by the views along the Fishermen's Path. The long sandy Sao Torpes beach beckons at the south of the coastal town of Sines. Some may be more inclined to stop for a while and sunbathe at this trail head at the start of the route. Others do not succumb and heave their rucksack onto their back, lace up their boots and go hiking. The route has lots of beauty spots to reward you for the effort. Praia de Morgavel, Praia do Burrinho, Praia da Samoqueira are the enchanting names of just a few lonely bays and unspoilt beaches on the initial leg to Porto Covo. You may be tempted to linger but be warned – finding accommodation between the few fishing villages that mark the daily stages is impossible. After a fortnight of touring the Atlantic coast between Porto Covo and Cape of Sao Vicente on Portugal's south-western tip in a camper van with a friend, a tourist, Lukas Pauluhn from Wurzburg in southern Germany, suggested surfers should avoid the Trilho dos Pescadores. The path requires perhaps a slightly masochistic streak coupled with an ability to withstand mental strain. The unabating, thunderous Atlantic breakers can be heard along the entire fishing trail, as the path winds over cliffs, through dunes and the odd sandy beach as well. 'Europe's best surfing hotspots are here. The waves are great all year round and there are hardly any surfers in the water. And look at this beautiful, empty beach,' he says, pointing from the cliff to the beach of Malhao, south of Porto Covo. Rudolfo Muller (left), who created the trail, speaking to hikers. Not for the faint-hearted The Fishermen's Path runs mainly through the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park. Hikers cross centuries-old paths that fishermen and village barnacle collectors still use today to get along the coast. 'You're really hiking right by the sea all day,' says Carmelo, a pensioner from Huesca, Spain. That's good because there is hardly any shade on the route. So at least the fresh sea breeze cools you down a bit, he pointed out. However, the narrow sandy paths are very close to the cliffs, some of which are up to 30m high, Carmelo remarked, adding: 'You definitely can't be afraid of heights on this hiking trail.' He and his wife Adelina definitely do not lack enthusiasm and were still toying with the idea of walking the entire Fishermen's Path to Lagos on the Algarve coast – a distance of 216km divided into 13 stages. The hikes along the Portuguese coast are spectacular such as the stretch between Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar. From beach to mighty cliffs After Malhao beach, the path leads into an untouched dune landscape. This ever-changing scenery morphs from beaches to mighty cliffs as far as Vila Nova de Milfontes. The day ends with a refreshing swim in the Mira River followed by local delicacies and a glass of wine in the rustic Tasca do Celso wine bar in Vila Nova de Milfontes. This striking coastal village is a true eye-catcher with its whitewashed houses and Fort Sao Clemente built on the waterfront. Below the castle, a small ferry is on hand to cross the river and to save you a diversion over the inland bridge. The next stage to Almograve on the following day is quite short at 15km, but no less spectacular. On disembarking the ferry, we pass through cork oak forests. Later, yellow and pink flowers glow in the dunes as well as purple gorse carnations. Cistus, juniper and rosemary waft along the way until the path leads over Praia do Brejo Largo – another dazzling beach against a backdrop of overgrown rocks. The next day, we pass the small fishing port of Lapa das Pombas, after which the dunes turn red, yellow and white. The rocky landscape becomes more and more rugged. On the steep cliffs near the Cabo Sardao lighthouse, storks nest on the narrow rock slats that stretch down to the sea. The song of black throats or robins can be heard all day. The trail then branches off to the Herdade do Touril country hotel with a saltwater pool in which to bathe our weary bodies. A menu of hearty country food whets our appetites. The nearby village of Zambujeira do Mar gleams in glorious white atop a rocky cliff. At Praia do Queimado, south of Porto Covo, you can explore the fishing villages and the Portuguese coastline. Swim in the Atlantic Misty dew lends the rocky landscape en route to Odeceixe a mystical air. After a few kilometres, the path through a game reserve with zebras seems surreal. Several bathing spots line the way to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar. Now, the Ponta em Branco lookout is nigh with its panoramic vista of yet another beautiful beach. The section of the Trilho dos Pescadores through the Alentejo region ends in Praia de Odeceixe. Hikers are now about half way. Continue along the Algarve coast to Lagos, if you wish. Alternatively, stop and rest and take a dip in the Atlantic. And if that's too much of a swirl, stroll across the sandbank to the calmer riverbank where the Ribeira de Seixe washes the beach before flowing into the sea. – Manuel Meyer/dpa
