Fishing is an important aspect of the UAE culture. As desert dwellers who had insufficient water for cultivation, the Emirati forebears relied on fishing. Although the Gulf was teeming with fish, the challenging fishing currents were fierce, especially without the modern techniques available today. As the UAE’s demand for seafood has grown, major investments and development in the UAE fishing industry have occurred.
fish market in Dubai
, but before that explore the fascinating facts about fish.Is Fish a Part of a Well-Balanced Diet?
Fish is a low-fat, high-quality, protein. Fish is rich in both omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamins D & B2 (riboflavin). Fish is high in calcium, phosphorus and minerals including iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. As part of a well-balanced diet, the (AHA) American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. Fish is rich in vitamins, proteins and nutrients, which can help lower blood pressure and lower the risks of heart attacks or strokes.
Why is Fish Important For a Healthy Heart and Brain?
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish in high concentrations. These nutrients are essential to maintaining the health of both our brains and our hearts. It lowers the risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, arthritis pain, and depression. Two omega-3 fatty acids popularly known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) & docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in fish (docosahexaenoic acid). Because our bodies are unable to produce Omega-3 fatty acids on their own, we have to receive these acids through the food that we eat. Although omega-3 fatty acids can be found in many kinds of fish, they are especially prevalent in fish with higher fat content. In addition to mackerel, oysters, salmon, trout, sardines, and herring, species such as canned light tuna, canned mackerel, and canned light tuna are all excellent choices.
Why is Fish Important for Humans?
The excellent quality of complete proteins found in fish, which includes all of the essential amino acids, is the primary factor that contributes to the importance of fish as a food product. Fish also contains other primary nutrients such as lipids, vitamins, and minerals in addition to those already mentioned. The most nutrient-dense part of a fish is its flesh, which contains the muscles and smaller bones, as well as the ligaments, fatty tissue, and blood vessels. The percentage of the fish’s total weight that is composed of meat ranges anywhere from 35 to 69 percent. In most cases, the edible sections of fish are the gonads and, on occasion, the liver. There is a significant amount of variety in the chemical make-up of the meat among the many species of fish. Fish are classified into three categories according to the amount of fat they contain: lean (containing no more than 2 percent fat), medium-fat (containing 2 percent fat), and fatty (containing 2 percent fat) (with a fat content greater than 5 percent). Fish typically have a nitrogen component content of between 16 and 20 percent.
The Recreational Activity of Fishing in Dubai
Fishing has also increased in popularity as a sport and hobby among residents of the UAE, particularly in Dubai, which is home to some of the most prestigious sea fishing competitions on the international stage. There are approximately 500 different types of marine life that may be found in the waters surrounding the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ranging in size from the tiniest seahorses to the largest sharks.
Traditional Fishing Methods in Dubai
- “Hadra” refers to the practice of utilizing fence traps that are placed perpendicularly from the coast to lead fish into a maze, which subsequently traps the fish at a lower tide.
- “Gargour” refers to a type of fishing trap that is constructed of palm leaves, which are braided into a semi-circular shape. The gargour has a space where fish food is placed to attract and catch fish.
- “Al Salia” is the name of a type of fish trap that looks like an umbrella but has holes all around it and is used to catch schools of fish.
Dubai’s Fish Market is a Must Visit
The Waterfront Market is widely regarded as the premier destination for shopping and purchasing fresh foods in Dubai. The Waterfront Market, which can be found in the heart of the capital, is a futuristic building that successfully combines elements of the city’s cosmopolitan culture with the traditional outlook. The remarkable history of the Market Waterfront and its iconic location within the Deira Fish Market are its primary selling points. It is a contemporary facility that is up to date and boasts state-of-the-art design.It is located on the present Deira Corniche, which is where Dubai’s fish transactions take place.
About Deira Fish Market and its Products
From the day it first opened in 1958, Deira Fish Market has been providing clients in the UAE with fresh catches and vegetables. The legacy lives on with a contemporary waterfront market that spans a total area of 120.000 square meters. The up-and-coming waterfront market can be found in any of Lulu’s main food and drink chain locations, as well as in convenience stores, multifunction halls, and hypermarkets. It is still one of the most frequented places in the nation to purchase fresh foods such as fish, cattle, chicken, fruit, vegetables, dry commodities, and dates. The addition of 770 parking spots in the subway and 470 parking areas outside, in addition to a designated location for fish auctions, makes for a better experience in this retail establishment. Every month, the Waterfront Market welcomes more than 800,000 people, including locals, visitors, and commuters.
Fishes of Various Kinds That You May Come Across in Dubai Market
The market is stocked with a variety of freshly caught seafood that was sourced from the Arabian Gulf and brought a short distance from the coast of Dubai. The following types of fish can be found in the area:
- Faskar
- Koffer
- Safi
- Jesh
- Prawns
- Crabs
- The crab king
- Lobster
- Schaam
- Laisar
- Sheri
- Sea bream
- Sardines
- Female white mullet
- White tuna
- Hammour
- Kingfish
How is the Fishing Industry in the UAE a boon?
There are 401 businesses in Dubai associated with the fishing industry. This is a reflection of the emirate’s concentration on strengthening the aquaculture and marine wealth as one of the key pillars of social, economic, & environmental development that significantly contribute to supporting national food security.
Fish Farm is among the leading sector companies in the UAE. It was established in 2013, and its primary focus is on marine fish breeding and hatchery. This is done to promote the local aquaculture industry and lessen the UAE’s reliance on fish imports. By maintaining an environment that is optimal for their growth, the farm can simultaneously produce all five species of fish.
Fish Farm contributes to a reduction in reliance on imports to satisfy the market demand by producing roughly 30 percent of the entire domestic demand for sea bream, sea bass, hammer, salmon, and the famous Japanese yellowtail kingfish. This helps fulfill the market demand for these types of fishes.
This began by cultivating sea bream, sea bass, and hammer, and later shifted the attention to the farming of salmon to fulfill the mission of supplying the country with fish that are difficult to grow. This is an effort that has never been done anywhere else in the world, and the goods are currently on sale in all retail locations. Bader Mubarak, the chief executive officer of Fish Farm, stated that their inventory now includes the well-known Japanese yellowtail kingfish.
