Jisr az-Zarqa means “Bridge Over the Blue” in Arabic. Jisr az-Zarqa is the only remaining Arab town on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, and is one of Israel’s poorest towns; it is located directly between Israel’s wealthiest town and kibbutz, Caesarea and Ma’agan Michael. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
A man fishes in the shallow waters near the shore of beach. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
Sea shells cover the beach front of the fishing village. 2018.
A fisherman shack located near the beach serves as a family and community gathering space during the day. The fisherman live up in the main town, but many spend most of their day down at the shacks located on the beach. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
Halil Jarbon looks at his collection of photos of his family, letters, and old fishing permits that he displays inside his shack. Jarbon, 77, is the oldest fisherman within the community, and has watched the community change over his lifetime. He recalls women being able to catch fish with their clothes while doing washing in the stream, but now there are significantly lower catches. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
Halil Jarbon in his hut by the beach. Each morning he comes to the sea. He recalls that when he was a child that there used to be so many fish that collecting them was like agriculture. “Like a farmer used to go to his field and take as much as he wants and he had plenty. This was the same as going to the sea.” Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
Fish gills from one of the larger fishes that calls the Mediterranean Sea home. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
A fishing net set on the beach. The fishermen use 50 to 80 meter long nets to catch fish. These nets are expensive, and so many of the fishermen spend time repairing the nets. During a storm, a fisherman has to weigh whether he risks losing a net for a good catch. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
Hamama, one of the few women who are involved in the fishing community in front of her hut. She also runs swim and surf lessons to empower women and youth. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
A young girl jumps into the bay. During the warmer months, the beach is filled with local kids swimming at the waterfront. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
The road leading down to the beach. The paved portion ends at the police station at the tip of the urban part of the Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
Mussa Jarbon sits inside to escape the winter rain. Jarbon is a fisherman in Jisr az-Zarqa. Jarbon fishes Sunday through Thursday, and opens his restaurant Friday and Saturday. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
Fishermen untethering boats and heading out in stormy water waters to cast nets. Surfers from the village and nearby towns paddle out in the distance in the Mediterranean Sea, just off the shore from Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
A fisherman stands with his son, staying dry under the roof. Some of the fishermen encourage their children to come to the beach to keep away from danger. The huts lining the ocean front act as a community gathering place. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
A fisherman in Jisr a-Zarqa, Israel untangles his catch from the net. 2018.
Full nets the morning after the winter waters brought. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
Full nets the morning after the winter waters brought. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel 2018.
A fisherman holds a fish from the day’s catch. The storm in early December brought in an abundance of fish which they had been lacking. Some days, the fishermen of Jisr az-Zarqa return with empty nets. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel 2018.
A bag of fish is weighed for pricing. Many locals and Israelis from neighboring towns come to buy fish. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.
Fishermen gather around to eat lunch together. They grilled up the fresh catch. Jisr az-Zarqa. Israel. 2018.
The family pets also get involved in the cookout. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
A horse figurine outside the hut. Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel. 2018.
A trash bag sits on the rocks near the fishing bay. Within the last five years there has been major improvement in the amount of trash found on the streets of Jisr az-Zarqa and along the beach front. Jisr az-Zarqa. 2018.