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JEDDAH: Fishing plays a significant role in the history and culture of Jeddah. Today, there are many fishing markets throughout Jeddah, but perhaps the most popular and active of them all is the Jeddah Fish Market.

One of the most exciting features of the market is the live seafood auction held daily in the afternoon.

Arab News visited the fish market located by the Jeddah Islamic Port and spoke to Faisal Al-Jadaani, the market auctioneer, just minutes before the auction started. “It is a fair competition based on market conditions, paying equal attention to various different aspects (quality, freshness, refrigeration and careful handling), all of which ultimately pays off for the fishermen,” he said.

“The fish are sold off in an exciting public auction that takes place daily from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. As soon as fishermen bring in their catch, the auction begins.

“The auction features high-quality seafood, including Hamour, Bayadh, Shaour, Harid and Najel.”

The auction is open all week and the process typically involves the sorting of fish by species, size and quality.

Saudis and expatriates throng daily to the auction for fresh fish, a choice of bargain and fairness in the transaction process.

It is a great atmosphere that draws in professional buyers, chefs, restaurant owners and curious enthusiasts.

An auctioneer chants as bids fly in for the freshest catches, creating a dynamic atmosphere that feels both traditional and thrilling.

The market management oversees the auction. The auctioneer announces a price, which then goes up until it settles on a price considered suitable for the buyers, who are mostly fish traders, residents and owners of seafood restaurants.

The crowd listens to the auctioneer, who shouts loudly while members of the crowd take turns raising their hands. Sellers come and go up the aisles, collecting money from the crowd.

Speaking about the daily quantities of fish auctioned, Al-Jadaani said: “As much as it varies day to day, depending on the fish that come in by fishers, it is a very systematic operation with the sole goal of getting the fish out to the auction as quickly as possible to be sold to consumers.”

According to fishermen, there is no shortage of seafood in the market and the prices are also good as they are catching a sufficient amount of fish from the Red Sea every day.

Abbass Al-Ahmadi, a young fisherman who inherited his occupation from his father, told Arab News: “We try to get as much fresh fish as we can from the sea in Jeddah, and sometimes we go further to the city of Thuwal located on the Red Sea coast, which is known for fishing.

“The auction is the right place for us as small fishers because we need a place to sell our catch as soon as it lands at the right price,” he added. 

For consumers, the auction is an ideal place to buy live and fresh fish for reasonable prices.

Ali Al-Shamrani, who owns a seafood restaurant, said: “The auction allows us to bid and thus compete for the fish on offer. So, our priority is the freshness of the fish, and that’s where we find it.”

For those who were unable to attend the auction, many fish shops are located in the market, offering a wide selection of fresh seafood.