Water quality and fishery management in Lake Kinneret, Israel

Kinneret, the only natural freshwater lake in Israel is operated like a mac-made reservoir since 1964. Top priority of lake utilization is given to water supply. The water budget of the lake is mostly controlled by the south dam and pumping through the National Water Carrier and by local consumers and regional utilization of water from rivers before entering the lake. The fishery is aimed at planktivorous species and stocking program include native and exotic fishes. Water quality improvement is achieved by creating high pressure of fish grazing on phytoplankton and low pressure on zooplankton together with fair income to the fishermen. Zooplankton decline and water quality deterioration were indicated during 1970-1993. Removal of zooplanktivorous noncommercial Lavnun (bleak) enhanced an increase Of zooplankton biomass which was accompanied by water quality improvement.