The Yanbu Grand Fishing Competition started on Saturday at the central fish market dock. Around 168 fishermen participated in the competition using 24 boats as part of the Yanbu Sea Festivals of 2012. The fishing zone was defined 25 km from the dock to the Shuban Al-Sab’ah, and 35 km from Tahlah to Umm Khashaba. The fishing area is 875 sq m. This year’s award of SR 57,000 will be given to the top five fishermen. Yanbu’s fish market is an economic strength to the region. Every morning the voices of the fishermen can be heard coming ashore after being out to sea all through the night. “The market consists of 44 fish shops surrounding one restaurant and one fishing tool shop,” said the chief of the fishing community. He said fishermen go out to sea every day, and some of them stay out to sea for three or four days. “Those who come back on the same day are called ‘Tarwah’ (fresh). Their fishes are the best in the market,” he added. Arab news