Hook, line and sinker for a taste of the sea
It’s not just residents hooked on Ajman Fish Market. People travel from across the UAE, writes Patrick Ryan
Ajman Fish Market might be less than an hour’s drive from the bright lights and futuristic cityscape of Dubai, but it feels like it belongs to another world entirely.
The market, in the emirate’s creek off Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, is one of the main attractions of Ajman. A few minutes spent here will tell you why.
It is every bit the typical marketplace. Customers haggle with fishmongers over the likes of hammour, safi, tuna and kingfish – all of which are brought ashore that day, in some cases only a matter of minutes before.
The market, which opens at 7am, is a hive of activity throughout the day, but it really comes alive at 6pm when the evening auction starts.
People come from all over the UAE to take part in the auction and rub shoulders with Ajman residents, all eager to sample an experience not replicated anywhere else.
“Other emirates have fish markets but they are nothing like this,” said Humaid Khalfan, an auctioneer. “The auction takes place twice every day. The first auction is in the morning after prayer time and then there is the evening one.”
Mr Khalfan springs into action with his loudspeaker, bellowing prices and accepting offers from the crowds pushing against each other in the hope of picking up a bargain.
He is a master of ceremonies, one second sharing in the joy of someone having an offer accepted, and the next consoling someone who has been outbid at the last moment.
The crowds at the auction are made up of people from all walks of life. Some are local business owners hoping to pick up a bargain to sell on to other establishments, while others come from other emirates to buy produce none of their rivals will have in stock.
Others visit the market simply because they want something fresh and tasty for dinner.
But the fish market is not just a key driver for the local economy. Hiba Aliou, 32, marketing executive for the Fairmont Ajman hotel, said it was a crucial part of the emirate’s identity.
“Fishing is an industry that has always been synonymous with Ajman,” the Algerian said.
“Focusing on the fishing industry allows Ajman to differentiate itself from other emirates. Dubai identifies with many different lifestyles but Ajman is associated first and foremost with fishing.
“The fish market makes Ajman more distinctive and it shows the region is still in touch with its Emirati roots and history.”
Her Egyptian colleague, Abdelaziz Lbouir, 38, who works as director of security said: “Why would anyone buy their fish in a supermarket when you can buy it here cheaply and be able to interact with the local community right here, who will cook and clean it for you?
“This is the real Ajman. We often bring guests at the hotel here because it shows them a truly authentic example of what life is like for the people of Ajman. There is a simplicity of life here that is not artificial.”
Another business that has reaped the benefits of the fish market is the nearby Al Senyar Restaurant.
“Business is good because of the people that the fish market brings,” said Mohammad Omur, who works at the restaurant next door. “People come to the market from everywhere in the UAE.”
One of the most common faces at the market is Ahmed Salem, an inspector for the Ajman Fishermen Association.
“The market has been here for over 40 years and people know about it all over the world,” Mr Ahmed said. “You can find fish markets in any emirate but they don’t have what we have. We have fish that are unique to Ajman, like safi.
“People come from all the other emirates. They buy our fish and take it back home because there is nothing like it anywhere else.”
Like many others in the emirate, Egyptian Hany Sailm, 37, works in nearby Dubai. He calls into the fish market each day on his way home from his job at Philadelphia Private School.
“I prefer life here because it is much quieter and you can relax more,” said Mr Sailm, who lives near by. “The market brings a lot of people to the area and they can see that we are a community.”
Amirah Hamdy, 36, also moved to Ajman because of the quieter pace of life.
“Dubai is amazing but it can be hectic at times,” Ms Hamdy said. “That is why I like it here so much. It is much quieter and people are so friendly.
“My family love the fish market because we know the food is always fresh and we see it being brought up from the boats and cleaned for us.”
The fish market makes Ajman more distinctive and it shows the region is still in touch with its Emirati roots and history HIBA ALIOU Marketing executive, Fairmont Ajman