Fishing drama

Recently, I was in the coastal area stretching from Khor Fakkan to Khor Kalba. Here, fisherfolk fish in the traditional Arab way.

A kilometre-long nylon net is loaded on a speedboat. The boat drops the net some distance from the shore in a semi-circular fashion and keeps both ends of the net tied to huge ropes on the shore, where fisherfolk drag the rope either by themselves or with the help of an old 4WD.

I first saw this mode of fishing in 1990.

Last week, I found a group setting up their nets. I followed them to note the terns and gulls that invariably wait for the net to be pulled in so that they can feast on the fish that try to escape from the net.

It was nearing midday when eight men and two jeeps pulled the net over the beach. It was thrilling to see fish making a last-ditch effort to free themselves from the net.

If you want to watch these fishermen, head towards the Fujairah-Khor Kalba coast, but avoid going there on Fridays because they don’t work on that day.