Under the gaze of the late morning sun, and amid the sounds of the gently lapping waves, Jeddah beaches are nearly deserted but for the silent presence of the fishermen. Fishing is an ancient craft that has not been disturbed by the ripples of time nor is it affected by the evolution of change or place. Along the various shores and rocks that lay at the side of the Red Sea, fishermen of different ages and nationalities cast their baited hooks into the salty waters.

Whether it is a week day or a weekend, fishermen favor the early hours of the day sometimes beating the dawn to the beach. There are even some who begin their fishing in the last hours of the moonlight. There are those who fish for fun and there are those who fish for a living. Yet in all cases, fishing is a process that requires intact reflexes but most of all it requires patience - and if it is Jeddah fishing, a tolerance for heat and sun.

Maher Mustafa, an Egyptian fishermen, said, "Fishing is a hobby of mine that I have always enjoyed it even when I was in Egypt. Here, I fish for relaxation, especially during the early hours of the day because the heat and humidity in summer times is hard to endure". He also added, "I love eating fish. To catch it, cook it, consume it, is triple the pleasure!"

Carlo is a Saudi resident from Philippines and works in a maintenance company, said, "My days are spent working among noisy machinery and electrical gadgets. By the end of my working day, my head is pounding from the noise, smell and the whole atmosphere. This is why a weekend of fishing is an outlet from the five days of noise and air. It is a sport and free meal for me. Sometimes if I catch too much fish, I sell some at the fish market".

Tareq Al-Harbi said, "Fish is a favorite dinner dish, not to mention the healthiest. Sometimes my friends and me meet up at different fishing locations in the mornings or afternoons, depending on the weather. It is a hangout and a meal rolled into one. I take home fish as well for the family. It is also a useful hobby from the economical aspect".

Ahmad Al-Subaie said, "A fishermen is obliged to be patient above anything else because the fish do not always take the bait easily. Furthermore, the best thing about fishing is that I get to sit with my friends or family spending a day of relaxation and having a picnic".

Abu Rami, a senior Saudi citizen, said, "Fishing for me is all about focus and meditation. To me it is more of an art than getting a meal. Sometimes I throw the fish back. I find that I have become more patient and relaxed due to fishing. I am trying to interest my children in this hobby. At the beginning, I would count the minutes. Now, I spend hours on end without even noticing if it weren't for the color of my skin". Abu Rami added, "The Sea is a world on its own with so much to offer. Fishing is just the beginning".