Israel bans fishing in the Sea of Galilee

The Israeli government is asking the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee to cast aside their nets. Israeli officials say a decade of overfishing has left the aquatic population of the biblical body of water in danger.

The fishing ban will be in effect for two years. Officials and scientists who study the freshwater lake hope the ban will allow the population of St. Peter’s fish, a local breed of tilapia popular with locals and tourists, as well as other species to regenerate their numbers.

The ban will put 200 licensed fisherman out of work, but tourism is unlikely to be affected. The government intends to help them financially. — ap