Israel is well represented at the June 27-July 1 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon. Director of the National Marine Environmental Protection Unit Rani Amir told the assembly, "Israel’s Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines are among the country’s most valuable natural assets. Nearly 70 percent of the population, much of the country’s economic and commercial activity and a rich diversity of natural environmental culture are concentrated along these coastline strips."

Amir admitted that Israel’s marine environment had suffered great  pollution over the years. Still, he said that since the mid-1990s, and most especially under the current government, conditions have improved, including identifying marine areas to be protected and preventing overfishing.

One example Amir cited was the decision by Israel’s Environment Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg three weeks ago, to declare the Palmachim sea region, which is located within the Israeli Exclusive Economic Zone, as a protected marine area. "This [newly declared] unique area of 450 square kilometers will double the protected area under Israeli jurisdiction," he explained. The decision required actions by many environmentalist players, including the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

Another important Israeli representative at the Lisbon Conference this week is Arik Rosenblum, CEO of EcoOcean. The NGO tweeted that Rosenblum will be speaking on "the power of harnessing networks at the local level for community empowerment and for creating a positive social and environmental impact in the surrounding coastal context."