Saudi fisherman recalls lifetime in sector, love for working beyond shore

Mehdi Khalil began fishing and pearling under his uncle’s tutelage. Now, he focuses on big game fishing. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 21 November 2023
Follow

Saudi fisherman recalls lifetime in sector, love for working beyond shore

  • Mehdi Khalil went fishing for the first time in 1981

RIYADH: Mehdi Khalil is something of a legend in Qatif fish market, the biggest in the region and second-largest in Asia.

He has devoted his life to fishing in the Arabian Gulf and, to mark World Fisheries Day, he spoke to Arab News about his life at sea.

It began when he went fishing for the first time in 1981, when he was a secondary school student.




Saudi Arabia initiated the National Fisheries Development Program in 2015 with the aim of enhancing the growth of the fisheries industry. (Supplied)

“My life was from school to the sea. I was enlightened by sea more than school. My life began when I bought my first boat,” he said.

After his father’s death, it fell to Khalil as the eldest child to fulfil his dad’s wishes and support the family by becoming a fisherman.

“I’m the oldest of my siblings. I did not want anyone to hold a single riyal over their head,” he added.

HIGHLIGHTS

• World Fisheries Day is observed on Nov. 21 and was designated by the UN to raise awareness of sustainable fishing practices and the need to end overfishing.

• Saudi Arabia initiated the National Fisheries Development Program in 2015 with the aim of enhancing the growth of the fisheries industry.

Khalil began fishing and pearling under his uncle’s tutelage. Now, he focuses on big game fishing.

His expeditions start with him, “first fueling my boat with gasoline and preparing the fridge with ice. Then I bring all the tools necessary, and I go to the sea. In 30 minutes, the fridge is full.”

His goal is always to fill 10 fridges that each hold around 16 kg of fish, giving him 160 kg to sell each time.




Saudi Arabia initiated the National Fisheries Development Program in 2015 with the aim of enhancing the growth of the fisheries industry. (SPA)

Khalil catches local favorites such as hamour (grouper), kanad (kingfish), safi (rabbitfish) and many types of shrimp. He noted that the best time to fish for kanad was at the end of the year, which coincided with the shrimp season. During that period, fishermen are only allowed to catch a single species.

When he was younger, Khalil’s daily routine was simply to go fishing to make a living. However, advances in technology have made the process far more efficient.

He said: “In the past, during hamour season, we used to catch the fish with a rod and a string. The hamour fish used to be SR40 ($10) to SR45, but today there is a shortage. The price is higher, and it has switched to dollars.”

Similar to many fishermen, Khalil operates in shallow waters using a qarqoor (fish trap), a device consisting of metal rods, wires, and net. He places many of these in an area and, on returning the next day, will find them teeming with his catch.

He pointed out that bread was ideal fish bait and should be used instead of more traditional lures such as dried fish, liquid bait, and smaller fish.

“For years, we used to use ooma (dried fish). With time the methods have changed. We use bread because it attracts the fish much better than dried fish,” he added.

But life as a fisherman can be dangerous. Khalil said: “I almost lost my life three times. I encountered danger when I was pearling. It was during a time when we would dive with just goggles and no other safety gear. I remember that day my uncle had warned me. He had said, ‘my intuition says don’t go today.’

“When I went down that day, I saw a baby shark. Luckily, he just passed by, and nothing happened. This happened to me three different times.”

World Fisheries Day is observed on Nov. 21 and was designated by the UN to raise awareness of sustainable fishing practices and the need to end overfishing.

Saudi Arabia initiated the National Fisheries Development Program in 2015 with the aim of enhancing the growth of the fisheries industry.

Mansour Al-Mushaiti, Saudi deputy minister of environment, water and agriculture, said the nation’s aquaculture output surpassed 120,000 tons in 2022. The Kingdom aims to raise its fish aquaculture output to about 500,000 tons in the future.

At the MedFish4Ever conference in Malta last month, Saudi Arabia announced its commitment to protecting sustainable fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishermen, as well as investing in aquaculture projects. The Kingdom also vowed to establish regulatory frameworks and management plans for its fishing industry.

Al-Mushaiti noted that Saudi Arabia had launched several initiatives to promote sustainable fishing practices. He added that the Kingdom was responsible for coordinating efforts to manage natural resources in the Red Sea as it had the largest coastal area among its neighbors.

 


Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

  • Cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage

RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event will include activities for families, including a children’s face-painting corner, and attendees will be able to join PlayStation League competitions that offer challenges suitable for different age groups.

Live cooking shows will allow visitors to learn about the diversity of Saudi cuisine, and local entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to display their products in local stores.

Additionally, the cultural tent will exhibit books, pictures and manuscripts about Riyadh’s heritage.

The cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage.

The event is part of efforts by Riyadh Municipality to improve quality of life for residents in the Saudi capital, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Everyone is welcome to attend the events, which run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

  • Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned and denounced renewed violence in Gaza after Israel unleashed its most intense strikes overnight since a ceasefire was established two months ago.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people were killed after the strikes that took place during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians.

Saudi Arabia also said it was important that the international community fulfilled its responsibilities by intervening immediately to put an end to Israeli crimes and stop the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

Gaza’s health ministry said the bodies of 413 people had been received by the territory’s hospitals, adding “a number of victims are still under the rubble.”


Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

  • This cabinet also strong condemned the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza

The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need for the international community to take immediate action to halt these atrocities and put an end to the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.

This came following the strong condemnation of the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The cabinet continued to follow up on developments in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom’s firm positions on these matters and affirming its ongoing support for efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region and globally.

During the session, the crown prince briefed the cabinet on the contents of two phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.


Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

  • Excavation uncovers artifacts, city layout from historic port city on Maritime Silk Road

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region.

The project was carried out in collaboration with China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to exchange expertise in archaeological excavation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which features joint cultural initiatives. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchange and highlight historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road.

The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia and China’s commitment to supporting historical research and documenting shared heritage, the SPA reported.

The excavation aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the site by studying residential areas, city planning and connections to other urban centers. It also sought to document structural features, including parts of the city wall, towers and gates.

Researchers uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. Gravestones with unique carvings were also found.

The survey identified key architectural features, including wall foundations and gravestones, highlighting the site’s significance along the Maritime Silk Road.

The port city thrived until the late third Hijri century, reaching its peak in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries. It remains one of the largest archaeological sites on the Red Sea coast, according to the SPA.

The Heritage Commission is committed to preserving antiquities and advancing archaeological research across the Kingdom, the SPA added.

It also aims to expand cooperation with local and international partners in line with Vision 2030, promoting culture and ensuring the sustainability of heritage for future generations.


Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Inauguration held for Riyadh center for homeless women

RIYADH: An inauguration ceremony was held for a center in Riyadh that will provide support for homeless women to reintegrate into society, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The center will offer a range of medical, psychological and rehabilitation services, and will be run by the National Society for Community Services (Ajwad).

It is being developed in partnership with the Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Charitable Foundation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Ajlan, vice chairman of the board of directors of Ajwad, emphasized the association’s commitment to providing integrated care for the Kingdom’s neediest groups.

He also praised the support provided by the organization’s strategic partners.

Ajwad was founded in 2017 with its board of directors headed by Saudi Arabia’s minister of health.

The association’s main focus is to provide services to the homeless and mentally ill in the Kingdom.