One of world’s largest fish markets in capital

Abu Dhabi is planning to launch one of the world’s largest fish market in August and officials said the facility will be served by 75 shops and 500 boats to cater for the needs of consumers in the capital and other UAE emirates.

Besides fish caught locally, the market will also import fish from Japan, China, and other countries and services will include both retail and wholesale shopping.

The modern market has already been constructed at the sprawling Mushref Mall on Murour Road in the city and it has been supplied with all necessary equipment for various services including selling, cleaning of fish, cooking or grilling, and eating.

“What distinguishes this market from other fish markets in the UAE is that it has been supplied with equipment to eliminate bad smell inside the market,” said Ali Mohammed Al Mansoori, adviser at the Abu Dhabi Fishermen Association.

Quoted by the Dubai-based Arabic language daily, he said cleaning service prices would be at least 60 per cent below the price at other market, adding that the new market would also be equipped with recycling facilities that will produce high quality fodder for chicken and fish aquariums.

Mansoori said the market would initially handle around 30 tonnes of fish per day before the quantity increases to 50 tonnes per day at a later stage.

“We expect customers from Abu Dhabi and all other emirates as the market will have types of fish that are not available at other markets in the country.”

Mansoori said the market would operate for 15 hours a day between 7.00 am until 10 pm, adding that he expects the market to become a tourism destination.

“Around 500 boats will serve that market…local fishermen will supply between 40 and 50 tonnes of fish to the market every day,” he added.

Abu Dhabi city, with a population of more than one million, currently has a small fish market in Zayed City and a larger one near Port Zayed.

Official data showed the UAE is one of the largest fish producers in the Arab region, with output exceeding 150,000 tonnes in 2012.

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