Some unfinished fishy business…
I went to Al Khor recently and was fascinated to see a few fishermen making traps ahead of their seven-day journey to sea. With my driver’s help, I enquired what they were doing. They were magnanimous enough to explain the process to one exasperated driver (mine) and an enthusiastic upper-middle-aged mother-of-three (me). They also posed for photographs, which I thought was really nice of them.
Let me explain what they told me, as best as I understood… here goes…
The wire-mesh-fish-traps are bought just like that, as finished products. They reinforce it on the top with several inter-crossing metal bars so that fishes trapped inside do not break free. The smaller dhows usually prepare anywhere between 150-300 such baskets while the bigger boats carry up to a 1000 of them at a time.
I apologise for not taking the picture of the trap door. By the time I realised it had slipped my mind, I was already a long way away. The trap-door is also made of wire-mesh, in the shape of a cone. It fits exactly into the big chasm shown in the photographs. The end of the cone has a little opening, just wide enough for a fish to wriggle/swim in, but never out. The corners (at the base) of the cone are tied tightly to the perimeter of the hole, making it strictly a one-way alley.
They then put a HUGE lump of khoobboos inside each of these wire-mesh traps and drop them to the bottom of the sea using weights. They continue doing this as they go deeper and deeper into the sea. Each time they drop a trap, they mark its coordinates using advanced GPS systems. Once they’ve exhausted all their traps (by dropping em overboard) they stay in the high-seas for three to seven days. Then they begin the return journey. They will retrace their sea-route using the GPS and lift the traps in reverse order. It will ALWAYS be teeming with fresh fish.
Meanwhile, this is what happens inside the trap. The khoobboos get soaked in sea water and disintegrate. However, the pieces usually don’t become small enough to sift out through the little wire-mesh holes. They stay within the trap system. The smell and taste of the khoobboos will then spread though the sea water. Hungry fishes come near the cage and face their first obstacle – the mesh. Hungrily, they search for a way in and see the small hole. Believing there is always light at the end of the tunnel, or in this case khoobboos, they barge in.
And there ends the story of the fish as the fish knows it. It cannot escape. When it does, several days later, it’ll be onto a boat and into our dining rooms.
I asked the fishermen if they would take me to the high seas on their dhow. They considered my gender and my age and politely refused. I’m not one to get disappointed by obstacles. I’ll try again. If I succeed, I promise to document it well and bore you to death with detailed pictures and descriptions like these.
Until then, this is Wanderer, looking to wander away… so long, farewell to you and you and you….
Living the Life in a way that's Unique , that's enjoyable and gives immense pleasure and not harming anyone but that which is something related to Man' Tradition nor in relation with Natures Vast Gift is truly a wonderful thing to do.
i would bet that a weekend of this sort is far better than time at the Movie nor with the Joystick.
Walk against the Wind...
S.M.I.L.E
Simpleman is loving everyone
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Thanks wanderer.. Nice post
I believe there should be some kind of controls in place. And the expatriate fishermen work for local Qataris, so I think they might be keeping an eye on them too...
and i really do not think that the number of fishes would go down like that. Fishing's been traditionally practised in Qatar. The local authorities should be knowledgeable about it. I'm sure they would not allow the local fishes to die out due to excessive fishing. However I agree with the points that you raised. They are very valid.
Simpleman, life in Qatar is as you make it out to be. That's the sole reason why i'm posting these, to encourage people to go out and explore the place instead of sitting at home and thinking how there is so little to do here... sorry that I'm preaching again...
its a nice and interesting topic that you have posted, i really appreciate the spirit.
so you seem adventerous to make the attempt of going to the high seas, well i too is interested but 1 thing i am a bad swimmer nor just in the basic.
what about you Wanderer.
well as i always said to my friends there is endless possibilites of recreationn in Qatar,its all about finding the unknown.
i once again appreciate Wanderer for posting this topic so that people know that Qatar is not just a land of Desert Sanddunes, Oil and LandCruiser.
Walking on Different Path is Adventerous than Running on
Corniche.......
S.M.I.L.E
Simpleman is loving everyone
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Very nice story^^thanks a lot for sharing
detailed and complete with pictures...
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mai lain pa!
There are very strict International fishing laws for net fishing: The size of the holes in the net, the size of the net, how far from the shore it can be used, in what depth in the seas, what kinds of fish can be caught in what season, prohibitions on certain types of fish during breeding seasons, etc. etc. Are these rules followed by these expat fishermen who have very limited education? I see them selling ALL KINDS AND SIZES of fish as if they threw a net in an acquarium. If no one checks on them, very soon they will deplete the fish fauna of this wonderful country and its coastline.
A great work
Can't say I ain't pleased...lol.
Thank you for all the nice comments, people. I really enjoyed going through the feedback.
* Magic Dragon, I think Qataris still do fish as a means of livelihood (the one's who aren't all that rich, I mean). I think people, when think about Qataris, generally associate them with riches and generally the better things in life. I don't think that is always the case. If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find Qataris involved in pearl diving, fishing and everything else considered traditional. I haven't seen them, because I haven't looked. Maybe someone could tell me if I'm right?
* What is this about a semi-nude picture? Funiculus umbilicalis, were you naughty when i was away? lol.
* Weasel, I use QL only once in a while. So I cannot really say if my post was a breath of fresh air. But thank you all the same, young man. I appreciate the compliment.
* Edifis, all you have to do is ask them politely. But I should warn it didn't work for me. I don't reckon they understood me fully, with my finny accent and all. All they saw was a crazy white-haired camera-toting lady trying her best to talk her way into a dhow where she had no business of being. I didn't have much luck, but don't let that stop you from trying. Wander away to Al Khor... NOW!
* Vegas, WOW. You're the first person who felt bad for the wish. Are you vegan, by any chance?
very nice, really enjoyed reading this.
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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
the wire mesh fish trap has been used in our country long long time ago. usually fishermen leaved the trap under the sea for several days and bingo when they came back theres a lot of fish inside.
Fantastic post. I have also tried to get someone to take me to where the Hammour are. We booked a QIT fishing trip on a center console boat but it was a joke. No fish, no fishing spots, they just find a gps coordinate and you start fishing, or should I say soaking squid in the water. If anyone knows of a boat that will take me for a couple of days to catch some big fish, please drop me a line.
You can't teach experience...
Aparaently they're offering you a seat on the next trip..
Peninsula headline the next day - "Expat swims with the fishes"
I can not see the pics :/
Will they take me if I want to go?
MD---LOL!
Great post.. Thanks..
Excellent post. Thanks. I like the way you write. It's like a breath of fresh among all the other useless drivel posted here.
You could be a photojournalist :-)
Yes, you should've posted a pic of the "non-return" door arrangement. A very important part of the story :-) Is there a flapper valve like door at the end of the cone?
PS: "MagicDragon said - Beautiful story about old Qatari lifestyle. Ooops, where are the Qataris?" - At the dining table, MD.
Great photos, by the way - especially the last one.
Nice post, wanderer.
Loved reading it. It's the way you've put it up for us!
what a bummer ....tsk tsk
Ouch!
Now you have me consider pushing myself into one of those dhows. My gender is not a problem. Age. Maybe :(
Thank you Wanderer
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Yes, yes. That's the "pleasure" I was talking about.
Very nice post Wanderer.
Nice pics also, I just wished I would have seen a Qatari actually WORK!!!!
:-P
This net-technique I have been admiring in Abu Dhabi. Amazing how a small cage with a dead chicken inside and only one entrance can catch so many fish.
Oh yes, there is room for improvement though...
{MOD NOTE: Kindly stick to the topic and kindly do not post semi-nude pictures in public forum. Thank you}
MD - they were already aboard on the expensive and luxury yachts...pay off time??
Bleu, I had the pleasure to be with "some of you" on a fishing boat. Great experience.
MD, We don't do that ourselves anymore... Some of us sometimes still go out on their fishing boats...
Cutting edge & classy wit, MD. Nice. How big is that chip now?
hope youll get some sharks as well..for a change..
will, why not? something wrong with that??
Beautiful story about old Qatari lifestyle. Ooops, where are the Qataris?
Great post. Thank you for sharing.