Fishing is an essential part of the UAE culture. The Emirati ancestors relied on fishing as citizens in the desert, with little water for agriculture. Although the Gulf was full of fish, the tricky fishing currents were intense, even without today’s advanced techniques. Today, the demand for seafood in the UAE has increased, so significant investment and development have been made in the UAE fishing industry.
About Fish
The high quality of complete proteins containing all necessary amino acids is mainly why fish is important as a food commodity. Other primary nutrients, including fats, vitamins, and minerals, are found in fish. Fish flesh is the most nutritious portion, including the muscles, small bones, ligaments, fatty tissue, and blood vessels. Meat accounts typically for 35–69% of the overall weight of the fish. The gonads and, sometimes, fish’s liver are often edible. The chemical composition of its meat varies considerably in different species of fish. Based on their fat content, fish are classified into three classes: lean (no more than 2%), medium-fat (2%-fat), and fatty (2%-fat) (with a fat content greater than 5 percent). The nitrogen compounds usually contain 16-20 percent in fish.
Fish are cold-blooded, as opposed to humans. So, their body temperature is not constant; however, the environment strongly affects the temperature. Actual fish have tails and a backbone. Some of them also respire gills and have scales surrounding their bodies. It is currently thought that fish started to grow some 480 million years ago. Fish fines are used for balancing, propelling, and guiding by the water. Many fish have two kinds of fins: individual fins located around the middle line of the fish and paired fins. The caudal fin or tail fin is the central fin used to drive fish through the water.
Fish and Its Products
Dead fish undergo physical and chemical changes that lead to spoilage due to the action of their enzymes and microorganisms. On the body surface, a slime comes, and muscles are no longer fluid or elastic. Protein, fats, and other compounds are fermentable and decomposed, and bacterial degradation starts. As a result of decay, the changes in the chemical makeup of the tissues are readily recognizable: the skin is soft. It develops a dull greenish color, cavities, and gas bubbles grow in the flesh, and the bones remove the meat. Fish are not suitable for bacterial decomposition and cannot be used as raw material.
Fish and Food Quality in Dubai
Food fish are tested to define the suitability of their food. It guarantees the freshness of products and removes any food contaminants. Parasites are found, including fish whose tissues are poisonous and thus harmful to human health. Different approaches are used to care for integuments, skin, gills, muscle tissue, and internal organs. Relevant principles and criteria are observed in the measurement of fish products. Value certificates for fish industry firms and cooling plants will be issued for high-quality fish products manufactured for export, in addition to marking items suitable for sale, local food dairy, and food testing stations.
Frozen Fish in Dubai
Fish and other aquatic items are frozen, salted, or roasted to avoid spoilage. The bulk of frozen fish in carcasses or parts is from washed fish. Filet is made from big fish from the seas. Cod and whale blubbers are used as raw materials in pharmaceutical goods. Other products that support animal feed and industrial uses include fishmeals, fish glue, guanine, and Perl essence. These fish goods are made of wastes created in the garments of fish and fish that are not fit for food.
After discussing all the information and descriptions about fish and fish products, the question arises: Where is the Fish Market in Dubai?
Fish Market in Dubai
The Waterfront Market is a leading retail and fresh food market in Dubai. Situated in the capital’s center, it blends the traditional Emiratsuq with the city’s multicultural spirit into a futuristic facility. The Market Waterfront relies on its incredible history and the legendary location of the Deira Fish Market. It retains a modern, state-of-the-art facility situated on the current Deira Corniche, Dubai’s fish trade, and its freshness.
Deira Fish Market
Regarding the Deira Fish Market and its products, Since 1958, Deira Fish Market has served fresh catches and produce to UAE customers. The heritage continues with a modern Waterfront market of 120 thousand square meters. The emerging waterfront market is in leading food and drink chains, convenience stores, a multifunction hall, and a Hypermarket in Lulu. It remains one of the country’s popular markets for fresh foods such as fish, beef, poultry, fruit, vegetables, dry produce, and dates. Seven hundred seventy subway parking spaces and 470 outdoor parking areas, with a dedicated fish auction area, improve this retail experience. More than 800,000 locals, tourists, and shoppers visit the Waterfront Market monthly.
Dubai Fish Market Features
Since the founding of the Emirate, fishing has occurred in Dubai long before concepts like Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah were even invented. The waterfront market in Dubai’s historic hub continues this legacy. The emerging industry incorporated improved technologies and equipment for performance enhancement and waste reduction. The changes also allow the fishermen to load the fresh fish directly onto and from their dhows, ensuring complete freshness. Waterfront Market also sells fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit, making it a one-stop shop for the area’s residents.
The market is a busy business hive, and the anglers’ fishing experience is better witnessed early in the morning. It’s exciting. The scent of recently caught fish and the sounds of noisy chat fill the air as you navigate through the rows of screens with a massive selection of seafood caught locally and from neighborhoods like Oman and India. The rates are much lower than anywhere (haggling is expected). A few vital Arabic sentences in your back pockets are the cleverest way to maneuver your way through the market.
Fish Market Taste
After hearing the sights and sounds, take a break and enjoy a tasty lunch in one of its market restaurants. Yahya Seafood is known for its Tom Yum soup, dynamite creams, and beautiful spices that you have ordered from the market and eaten in Arabic. For local tastes, you can visit the Finyaal Cafe to enjoy traditional Karak Tea, Arab coffee, Chebab, and Ballet.
Dubai Fish Market Products
Seafood Products:
The cod, hammers, major Omani creeks, and other more sustainable choices such as Jesh, Faskar, and Shari are available in the fish section (pink ear emperor). Of the 435 stalls that sell raw cuts, 43 are dehydrated fish, and 18 are fish and crustaceans brought from the aquarium alive. You will find lovely lamb, beef, chicken, and camel cuts if you look for meat. These cuts are made locally or elsewhere, separated into many stands. All is fresh from picking your amount without caring about consistency.
Fish Products:
The Waterfront Market is one of the best places to find sustainable marine goods. Though ordinary Hammur and Kingfish can be found here, the best alternative is to follow more natural alternatives such as Shari (the pink-ear emperor), twin-bar seabream, and Jesh (yellow-bar angelfish). A significant highlight of this deal is plump Omani crevices.
Meat Products:
The meat and poultry section provides a wide range of lamb, beef, chicken, and other meats, including camel meat, when you prepare a picnic in one of the lush Dubai parks. The supportive people even help scrub, wash, and marinate the meat you purchased so you can make burgers, sausages, and kebabs ready to grill.
Vegetables and Fruits:
New fruits and vegetables come from small farmers in Dubai and other Emirates, which are closely linked with the national farming community. Check out what is happening in the season and learn about the growing agricultural trade in the region. It is the best place to collect a bag of fruit for an area tour. Pineapples, figs, and juicy jujubes are the most common local fruits. Various premium spices are available at fantastic prices at the waterfront market. Otherwise, a jar of sweet syrup or a package of local dates would be collected.
Conclusion
The discussion concludes that the vibrant Deira Waterfront Market is an utter must for foodies. It has been a common souk and a favorite tourist spot for many years, but now it is bigger and better. The demand is much greater, and it is more relaxed and air-conditioned. However, the climate remains the same as the old souk, and tourists can still enjoy a wide variety of seafood, including lobster, Kingfish, and pomfret.