Of Fish, Pond and Lake: The History of Fishing and Fish Breeding in Agricultural Settlements in the Land of Israel, 1934-1949

With the arrival of the first waves of Jewish immigrants who established new settlements in the Land of Israel, economic stability and agriculture became a top priority. Despite the country’s long Mediterranean coastline, coastal fishing was barely developed. Early attempts at fishing in rivers, lakes, and in the waters of the Sea of Galilee and the Hula Valley were largely unsuccessful, mainly due to a lack of equipment and infrastructure.
During the 1930s, as Jewish settlement expanded, fishing began to be organized more systematically by both the British Mandatory authorities and Zionist institutions—most notably the Sea Department of the Jewish Agency.
In the 1940s, fish farming in ponds emerged as a vital agricultural branch. It provided a productive use for swampy lands and brackish waters unsuitable for crop cultivation. This innovation enabled settlements in the Beit She’an, Hula, and Jordan Valleys, as well as near the Jordan River’s outlet to the Dead Sea, to establish themselves and prosper.
Fishing and fish farming supplied up to 40% of the protein consumption of the developing Jewish community and were essential to its survival and growth. The book offers an engaging and optimistic account of this lesser-known chapter of history, bridging ecology, agriculture, and settlement. It is ideal for readers interested in the history of the Land of Israel, agriculture, and fishing.

Amnon Loya is a member of Kibbutz Amir in the Hula Valley, a tour guide in Israel and internationally, and a professional with extensive experience in fish farming. The book is based on in-depth research that began more than twenty years ago, originating in his MA thesis at the University of Haifa (200