Dubai: A new fish market that opened recently in Umm Suqeim has come as a huge relief for residents of Jumeirah and other upscale communities in south Dubai who otherwise had to rely on supermarkets or travel to old Dubai to get fresh fish.
Located in the Umm Suqeim fishing harbour, the Souq Al Bahar 4 Fish is run by Dubai Municipality and has 40 stalls offering over 50 varieties of fish.
“Live hammour, salmon, seabass, seabream, shrimps, sherry fish, safi, king fish – you name it, we have it. And as you can see, they are fresh off the sea as we are located in the harbour itself,” said Nooruddin, sales staff.
He said the market sells tonnes of fish every week. “The weekends are especially busy and both expat and Emirati families come here to buy fish. Our prices are also very competitive.”
Thibault Rivier, a French resident of Umm Suqeim 1, who visits the market every week, said: “I used to buy fish at a supermarket earlier. This is more convenient and less expensive.”
Josselin Prats, another French expat from Umm Suqeim 3, said: “The produce is fresh and the place is clean. I also like the fact that they have a separate cutting area which is very convenient.”
Some expat women said they are more comfortable buying fish at Umm Suqeim market than at the old market at Deira. “This is such a clean place. We don’t have to worry about vendors getting after us or even being pushed around in crowds,” said an Italian expat who comes here from Emirates Living every week.
The market boasts a separate cutting room where the fish is cleaned and cut to order, besides there’s a seafood restaurant and a working area where fishermen work on their nets. “As you can see, the whole ambience of this market is different,” said Nooruddin. Residents agree. “I love coming here as it’s by the sea. There’s no hassle parking and there’s no haggling – as yet,” said Anne Newton, a Briton.
An Emirati man from Jumeirah 3 said: “It is a pleasure to buy fish here as the market is new and clean.”
