Sharjah Al Maleh Festival sales top Dh1.4 million as visitor numbers jump 30%

Sharjah’s Al Maleh and Fishing Festival surpassed Dh1.4 million in sales and attracted 30% more visitors compared to the previous year, showcasing the increasing commercial potential of traditional maritime industries. Organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Dibba Al Hisn City Municipality, the four-day event concluded on Sunday at Al Hisn Island in Dibba Al Hisn.

Over 80 exhibitors participated, including 50 productive families and home-based businesses, 10 fishing equipment, marine engine, and boat suppliers, and 20 government and private entities.

The festival aimed to promote traditional products while preserving the UAE’s maritime heritage, particularly the centuries-old Al Maleh practice of salting and preserving fish. SCCI Director-General Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi highlighted the festival’s growth as a shift towards heritage-based economic development in Sharjah’s Eastern Region.

Efforts were underway to transform traditional maritime professions into a lucrative economic sector by merging traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing, wider distribution, and advanced marketing.

Visitors could purchase traditional salted and dried fish at the main market, alongside handicrafts, locally grown agricultural produce, and traditional food. Marine businesses exhibited navigation systems, engines, and fishing equipment, adding a modern commercial aspect to the heritage-focused event. Demonstrations of boatbuilding, sail-making, and fishing-net production were also available, along with workshops on traditional pottery, fish salting, and pearl diving.

The festival included sessions on sustainable fishing and fisheries conservation, family activities, and traditional maritime performances.