Scorching weather shoots up fish prices in Umm Al Quwain
umm al quwain —The scorching summer temperature, which has reportedly exceeded 64 degrees Celsius in July, has left a significant impact on fish prices in Umm Al Quwain.
The tough weather has discouraged the fishermen to go fishing and has led to a salient drop in fish supply and almost 100 per cent jump in the fish prices.
Fish traders told Khaleej Times that fish prices are usually high during the summer months. “Fishermen — both Emirati nationals or expatriates — do not feel like to go fishing in this unbearable hot and humid weather,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a fish trader.
Fish also swim deeper to avoid the high temperature of surface waters, he added. “This adds more burden on the fishermen and makes their job quite harder as most fish become unreachable.”
Muhammad Akram, another fisherman, said that most of the fish on display at the UAQ fish market have been caught from the creeks of the emirate.
“On top of these, local fish are the Safi, Sheri, and Bayah, which are mostly in demand these days by local and expatriates alike.”
Abdullah Al Mazrouie, an Emirati
Those using Alyakh (Gramsta) nets can go to the waters from 3pm to 6am next day while Qaraqeer (hexagonal) nets fishermen go between 4am to 8am.” Hussain Al Hajiri, head of the UAQ Fishermen Society
fisherman, said that they sometimes fail to meet the pressing demand. “We are importing fish from the fish markets in the nearby emirates to meet the demands of our customers.”
The prices have significantly jumped these days, he added. “A mann (4kg) of Bayah popular local fish has risen from Dh200 to Dh300; a big spike of Dh100 at one time.”
The same applies to the price of Safi fish which increased from Dh200 to Dh350 per mann, he elaborated. “The imported Safi fish costs only Dh100.”
The price of Sheri fish has risen from Dh80 to Dh140 and a mann of Hamour (Grouper fish) also shot up from Dh150 to Dh260.
“The lowest priced fish is Naisar which is sold against Dh30 per mann while a mann of the Basar fish is available at Dh40.”
Sherif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian resident, said such a jump in fish price has led consumers to flock to the nearby fish markets. “People are regularly flocking to nearby markets during the weekend to buy fresh fish.”
On July 1, fishing was permitted at the UAQ Khor following a four-month ban earlier enforced to enhance reproduction and increase the amounts of local fish.
Hussain Al Hajiri, head of the UAQ Fishermen Society, said only Emirati fishermen in the emirate are allowed to fish in the UAQ Creek.
Those using Alyakh (Gramsta) nets can go to the waters from 3pm to 6am next day while Qaraqeer (hexagonal) nets fishermen go between 4am to 8am.
“The UAQ Creek, with its various fish foods, is one of the best site for fish hatching.
The period needed for a fish to recover after laying eggs differs from one type to another and according to environmental factors.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com