Old Jaffa Port (also known as Namal Yafo) was the ancient port of the city of Jaffa, out of which modern day Tel Aviv has grown. The Old Jaffa Port is reputed to be one of the oldest ports in the world, notably being the port from which Jonah set off in the famous Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale. Its long and fascinating history as strategic port in the Eastern Mediterranean continued until only recently when new ports were built south of Tel Aviv in Ashdod and north in Haifa, to cater for modern-day shipping methods. Today the port is used largely by local fishermen who continue the centuries old tradition of the area.