Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Dibba Al Hisn City Municipality, the festival will run until 30 August, celebrating the age-old Al Maleh (salted fish) industry and traditional crafts associated with some of the UAE’s oldest maritime professions.

This year’s edition brings together more than 80 exhibitors, including around 20 government and private entities, over 50 productive families, and 10 companies specialising in fishing equipment.

Traditional crafts and modern fishing equipment

The festival showcases traditional fishing tools and supplies, including nets, boats, and handicrafts made using skills passed down through generations, providing visitors with an immersive insight into the rich legacy of these time-honoured heritage professions. Participating companies also present the latest marine fishing tools, technologies, and equipment, supporting innovation across the fisheries sector.

Officials attend opening ceremony

The 13th Al Maleh and Fishing Festival was inaugurated by His Excellency Ali Ahmed Ali Abughazayain, Chairman of the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority. The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Salem bin Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Sharjah; His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Muhammad bin Yarouf Al-Naqbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Dibba Al-Hisn; and SCCI Board Members: His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Shehhi, His Excellency Ali Obaid Ali Al Zaabi, and His Excellency Jamal Mohamed Sultan Binhuwaidin.

Also present were His Excellency Adel Ahmed Ali Alwan Al Naqbi, Director of Al Diwan Al Amiri (Ruler’s Court) in Dibba Al Hisn; His Excellency Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai, Director of Dibba Al Hisn City Municipality and Chairman of the Al Maleh and Fishing Festival Organising Committee; and Saif Hassan Al Dhahouri, General Coordinator of the Festival, alongside senior directors of federal and local government departments in Sharjah’s Eastern Region.

Heritage performances celebrate maritime culture

The opening ceremony featured a variety of heritage performances and poetry recitals, complemented by traditional folk groups performing a selection of artistic showcases, including maritime chants and songs historically associated with fishing activities aboard traditional sailing vessels.

Additional performances drew inspiration from the UAE’s rich cultural heritage, reinforcing the festival’s role in preserving and showcasing traditional identity. The ceremony also recognised and honoured all government and private sector sponsors and supporters, acknowledging their contribution to the festival’s success.

Visitors explore festival sections

Following the opening ceremony, attendees toured the festival’s various sections, engaging with exhibitors and learning about maritime and nautical products and crafts, as well as traditional fishing tools. They visited the pavilions of participating government entities and learned about the programmes, activities, and events they are offering to showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage.

Attendees also explored the offerings of productive families, including Al Maleh products, maritime-related crafts, traditional tools, and handcrafted goods.

Festival highlights maritime heritage and sustainability

His Excellency Ali Ahmed Ali Abughazayain said the Al Maleh and Fishing Festival is an important annual event that showcases the UAE’s rich maritime heritage and raises awareness of the traditional professions and crafts associated with the sea and fishing. He added that the festival also plays a role in promoting sustainability and marine resource conservation among all segments of the community.

Meanwhile, His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Shehhi remarked that the opening of the 13th Al Maleh and Fishing Festival continues a 13-year track record of impact and achievement, underpinned by a strong institutional partnership between SCCI and Dibba Al Hisn Municipality.

He noted that the festival embodies the forward-looking vision established by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which positions heritage as a source of inspiration and a catalyst for development.

Al Shehhi pointed out that the festival has evolved beyond a seasonal event into a comprehensive social, cultural, and heritage occasion, as well as an economic platform that transfers the knowledge and expertise of fathers and forefathers to younger generations and supports the people of Dibba Al Hisn and the Eastern Region.

Dibba Al Hisn strengthens tourism appeal

For his part, His Excellency Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai said the growing number of festival visitors over its 13 editions has become a tangible indicator of Dibba Al Hisn’s evolution from a seasonal destination into a year-round tourism and heritage attraction.

He explained that Dibba Al Hisn City Municipality has expanded dedicated spaces for exhibitors and educational workshops to accommodate rising demand, while upgrading logistics and visitor-support services at the event venue on Al Hisn Island.

Markets and culinary offerings

This year’s festival features a diverse mix of commercial, culinary, and heritage offerings, including the Main Maleh Market; a dedicated marketplace for productive families showcasing handcrafted goods and traditional cuisine; a local agricultural produce market; and a traditional food zone serving authentic Emirati dishes inspired by the UAE’s maritime heritage.

The festival also features specialised platforms showcasing the latest fishing equipment, marine engines, and boats, creating new opportunities for partnership, innovation, and the integration of traditional heritage with modern technology.

Workshops preserve traditional skills

Furthermore, visitors can take part in a series of daily educational workshops focused on fish salting, preservation, and canning techniques. These sessions are designed to transfer the practical knowledge and skills inherited from previous generations to younger people, helping safeguard the continuity of this traditional craft as part of the UAE’s maritime heritage.

The programme also includes awareness seminars on fisheries conservation and sustainable fishing practices, alongside live demonstrations of fishing-net making and fishing boatbuilding, as well as cultural and heritage competitions to provide engaging activities for families and children.