‘Soft’ Solutions for Beach Protection and Revival along the Herzliya Eroded Beaches, Central Israel Mediterranean Coast

Abstract

The Israeli coastline along the Mediterranean has one of the densest offshore systems of structures of all the countries bordering the Mediterranean , its 190 km long coast having some 50 sites with artificial structures such as harbours, marinas, cooling basins, detached breakwaters, groins, sea walls, and so on. This large disproportionately large number should be seen as the result of a basic misunderstanding of the coastal environment on the one hand, and the search for quick solutions on the other (as a result of short-sighted planning in relation to the natural sources).

Most of the structures mentioned have caused considerable damage to their immediate vicinity, as well as to the entire sand transport system.

However, the increasingly unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problem, as well as the beginning of what looks like a more logical approach on the part of the authorities, has led to new and more modern ways of tackling beach protection. The first site where sand replenishment is expected to be done on a relatively large scale is the Herzliya beach, located north and next to the Herzliya marina.

The decision to nourish with sand this shore is a crucial one and will be discussed in this paper.