To most people it would appear just another dry government decision, a technicality barely worth publication:  "The Ministry of Infrastructure has transferred responsibility for X to the Ministry of Agriculture."  Like, who cares, right?  Wrong.  For tens of Eilatis directly, for numerous research facilities and food producers worldwide, and one could say for the nameless masses in general whose food supply ultimately depends on such efforts, it was of momentous import. 

After several years of its continued existence being under question, the decision by the government yesterday regarding the fate of the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM) in Eilat was a stone off the heart for the tens of people employed there.  From world renowned scientists to support staff - those who even remain after a constant stream of cutbacks over recent years - the mood was upbeat.  An ex-employee myself, my ex-boss still asks for my services now and again and today I had occasion to see smiles on every face, it seemed.

"Finally we can stop wondering from one pay cheque to the next whether there will even be a next one," said one senior researcher.  After years, in many cases decades, of work at NCM, having to live one month to the next with no job security and few alternative places in Israel that would require their specialised knowledge was a very stressful feeling.  But it's not only their livelihood that was at stake, but their research projects present and planned.

One senior researcher has gone abroad on sabbatical and when he returns, having reached retirement age by then, he plans to volunteer at the institute in order to oversee the continuation of his research.

“It’s a relief to know that there will now be steady and ongoing funding, in whatever amount, so that we can proceed with research plans confidently and not fear we’ll lose workers, or even the project itself by being closed down,” another senior scientist said.   Due to the uncertainty at the NCM, some staff members didn’t even wait to get laid off and left of their own accord to seek more secure employment.  “His loss,” said a department head to whom that happened recently.  “I told him to hang on and wait to see what the government decision would be, but he wanted to leave, so…”.  Now that NCM’s future is much more secure, departments will have a far greater selection of applicants knocking at their door for postgrad studies and/or employment.   

Now that one huge hurdle is overcome, only the other still remains - rebuilding the areas destroyed by a fire just under a year ago.  Work is progressing steadily but slowly, with much remaining to be done.  Some staff from NCM are still being hosted by the IUI even now, while others struggle along in makeshift facilities with much necessary equipment still unavailable.  It can be hoped that with the NCM’s continued existence no longer uncertain, more energies and resources can be invested in the rebuilding.