National youngsters to be trained in traditional fishing, diving methods

Eighty UAE national youth yesterday started a special summer programme during which they will be trained on the traditional methods of fishing and diving in Al Rams.

Six senior national fishermen - Saleh Hanbalouh, Abdul Rahman Hanbalouh, Ahmed Al Mansour, Mohammed Marah, Ali Al Suwaidi and Ahmed Al Hinawi - will train the youngsters of ages seven to 25. The main objective of the camp, being organised by the Al Rams Youth Centre for Heritage is to revive tradition.

Saleh Hanbalouh said senior fishermen were surprised to see the large number of youngsters joining the programme. This had proved the older generation wrong that youngsters are not interested in heritage.

Youngsters will learn the traditional ways of fishing including Al Ashash, Al Difaf and Al Sakar.

Fishermen have not used these methods in the last few decades. They will also learn how to make rope and to tie knots.

It will take a month to learn how to tie knots and each part of the ship has a different one.

They will be taught how to make nylon and metal nets. He added that the diver will go deep into the water tied to a rope. He will signal with the help of the rope to tell his colleagues on board when to pull him out of the sea.