After more than 45 years in fishing, Mohammed Saeed Al Zaabi recalls a terrifying six-hour ordeal at sea and how motorised boats transformed the lives of fishermen.
For nearly six hours, a veteran fisherman and others aboard his boat battled strong winds and rough seas as a powerful storm struck during a journey from Oman to Dubai in the early 2000s. Water began seeping into the vessel, leaving those on board exhausted and uncertain when conditions would improve.
For 77-year-old Mohammed Saeed Al Zaabi, the incident remains one of the most frightening memories of his more than 45 years at sea.
“I was travelling from Salalah in Oman to Dubai when a strong storm hit us. The winds were very powerful, and the boat was badly affected,” he recalled.
“Water entered the boat, and everyone was tired. We struggled for almost six hours. But thank God, the storm eventually became weaker, and we survived.”
Al Zaabi spoke on Wednesday at the inaugural ceremony marking the opening of Dubai’s 2026–2027 fishing season at Waterfront Market.
The event brought together members of the fishing community and industry representatives to mark the start of the season and celebrate Dubai’s fishing heritage.
Originally from Oman, Al Zaabi has spent decades fishing in the waters around the UAE and Oman. Although he no longer fishes professionally, his love for the sea remains strong. Even at 77, he continues to fish as a hobby.
“I have been fishing for more than 45 years. I have caught all kinds of fish in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea,” he said.
From days at sea to returning home by evening
Having witnessed decades of change in the fishing industry, Al Zaabi remembers a time when heading out to sea meant spending several days away from home.
In those days, fishermen relied on traditional sailing boats, which required considerable effort to operate. Reaching fishing grounds and returning with their catch could take several days, depending on the weather and sea conditions.
“Earlier, the boats were very difficult to operate. Sometimes, we would go fishing for days before returning. But when motorised boats came, everything became easier,” he said.
“Now, we can leave in the morning, catch fish and return home by the evening.”
For fishermen like Al Zaabi, the arrival of motorised boats transformed not only how they travelled but also the amount of time they needed to spend at sea.
Despite these changes, he has held on to the skills and traditions he learnt in his early years.
Keeping old fishing traditions alive
At the Waterfront Market event, Al Zaabi was surrounded by traditional fishing equipment, much of which he had crafted himself.
Among the items he demonstrated were fishing nets, traps, ropes and equipment once used by divers and sailors.
“Everything you see here, I have been making it myself for the last 45 years. I make all these things with my own hands,” he said, pointing to the equipment.
One of the items was a gargoor, a traditional fish trap designed with an opening that allows fish to enter but makes it difficult for them to escape.
He also demonstrated equipment once used by divers, including weights that helped them descend underwater and ropes connected to their boats.
Making these tools requires patience and skill. “A large traditional fishing net can take about six months to complete and can last five to six years,” Al Zaabi said.
He also explained how fishermen once used sails to reach their fishing grounds.
“When the sail was raised, the boat would move through the sea. Once the fishermen reached their fishing area, they would lower the sail and throw their nets into the water. After fishing, they would raise the sail again and return,” he said.
Although modern boats have made fishing easier, Al Zaabi continues to craft traditional equipment and share his knowledge of how fishermen worked in the past.
Fishing may no longer be his profession, but the sea remains an important part of his life. More than four decades after he began, he still heads out onto the water — not to earn a living, but simply for the love of fishing.
