UAE | General

Fishing in the desert is not a mirage

Al Mansouri's fish farm in Liwa proves a hit with emiratis and visitors.

  • By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
  • Published: 22:57 July 31, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Bakhit Mubarak Al Mansouri proudly displays cat fish which he breeds, along with tilapia, trout and other species at his fish farm in Mahdar Al Maria in Liwa.
  • Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Image 1 of 4
1234

Liwa: About 250 kilometres away from the coast, close to the Empty Quarter where no life can survive, you can go fishing and enjoy a delicious meal.

In a farm in Mahdar Al Maria, Liwa, many varieties of fish can be seen swimming in about 10 fish pools, which are surrounded by palms, fruit-bearing trees and vegetables.

The farm is owned by Bakhit Mubarak Al Mansouri and is registered as the first fish farm in the UAE. He established it 15 years ago when he thought about the idea of breeding fish in the desert.

"In the beginning I raised a turtle at home for my children and it grew up and lived for a long time in a huge special pool. So I wondered if fish could survive too in a desert environment," he told Gulf News.

He decided to give it a try and brought some tilapia, known locally as balti, fish eggs from East Asia. The fish is also found in the Nile River in Egypt. In a month's time, the eggs hatched. Later Al Mansouri successfully crossbred 15 types of tilapia in the same aquifer used to water the farm.

"The new types were grown in six months and weighed 800 grammes on maturity," he said. The breeding process is based on scientific research and is carried out on the farm under expert supervision.

Since then, the farm has become famous among tourists who stay in hotels in Al Gharbia (Western Region). From the hotels they visit the farm for their fishing trips and catch fish which they can take it home.

Also reared on the farm are catfish, weighing up to 8 kilogrammes, and trout.

The farm produces around 15 to 20 tonnes of fish a year.

"People also come to the farm to buy fish, while some Emiratis prefer it rather than waiting for the sea fish to arrive from Marfa'a [the nearest seaport to the region - about 200 kilometres away from Liwa] which might not be fresh," he said.

Breeding fish naturally is not an easy process. In the laboratory, however, fish are bred in a shorter timeframe after the eggs are taken out from the female species.

Al Mansouri also stated that "the waste from the fish pool is used to water the plants as it is rich in nutrients".

Meanwhile, he explained that the production is being kept low due to the preparations that are going on to further develop the farm.

"In one to three years we will start developing the farm with the help from the government. It will be provided with closed cabins and modern electronic techniques will be used to feed and supply oxygen to the fish.

Technique: Scientific facts

This system is known integrated farming. It is used in Egypt, the US and China where fish are bred in rice paddies. Bakhit Mubarak Al Mansouri's farm is the first to use it in the desert where it is difficult to get good results. Now there are around 2,000 farms in Liwa which use it.

The taste of the desert

Bakhit Mubarak Al Mansouri, owner of the Liwa fish farm, treated the Gulf News team with different fish dishes from his farm prepared at home by his wife Umm Reem, who prepares a traditional Fish Kabsa with rice and a fish baked in the oven with Italian spices.


Your comments


Facinating.The government must help such persons who makes this counrty green
Biju Asokan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 17:30

Hi we are so excited in this news.kindly provide the location, requirements and charges to visit your destiny!! regards,
Deepa Joseph
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 16:56

Wow! good to know that exists. I'll be planning to see this place myself after summer. Meanwhile, I'll try check the Google Earth to find how to reach the place
Glenn
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 15:32

Creative thinking and Great work, I hope you achieve great success in your endeavours.
James Andrews
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: August 01, 2009, 15:00

Well Done Mr. Mansouri!!! I must congratulate the initiation and efforts put in for the farm and hope that in time to come it becomes not only a tourist but a local attraction which would add to the fun activities to do on weekends for families and alike.
Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 14:30

Hi im a Filipina, i was employed in an aqua culture company in the philippines for 13 years, im so happy that here in uae there is such an aqua farming that produces catfish, so amazing..i wish you can also produce milkfish soon, i was working in a milfish farm (fry to fingerlings) before i got here, Amazing! I want to see the place and the farm..Thanks
Maritess Abarra
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 13:56

Please provide the location details
Dipak
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 13:03

amazing...what innovation. keep up the pioneering work sir.
Khalid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 12:58

Nice to hear such a good place in a desert country. This would be a good place to relax, enjoy and release stress as I love fishing. I want to see the place. Please give us contact number. Keep it up
kenny
Ajman,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 12:32

How does one get there to visit the place.
Ryan Gomes
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 11:44

Wonderful idea of breeding fish in the desert. I am a big time fishing fan. What will be the cost if i plan a trip for fishing?
Nadeem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 11:39

i want to visit with my family as a fishing trip. what is the requirement and charges? regards
Shahzad Sharif
Ajman,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 11:25

Wow...it's a great initiative. Good to know that there is a great farm like this. People who need fresh fish can buy from there and enjoy the desert trip as well. I would want to visit there one fine day. Insha Allah.
Shejeer
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 11:11

Facinating article. I hope to go visit some time. My question is where does the water come from? Thanks.
Bill Stewart
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 01, 2009, 09:42

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from UAE General

  1. Charity trek to frozen heights raises Dh180,000

  2. Community event to salute selfless citizens

  3. Two injured after boat and ship collide

  4. Abandoned children in the UAE

All articles in General

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Readers' pictures
Your pictures

Readers' pictures

The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather