“These young Saudis will make this traditional profession lively. Their presence in this profession comes in line with the government’s direction to Saudize jobs,” said Ibrahim Muhammad while addressing a meeting of the Municipal Council.

The meeting saw Abdullah Shamaa, a fishermen's group representative, and Khaled Al-Shuwaiki, director of the Cooperative Society for Fishermen, expressing their grievances in order to find viable solutions.

Nabeel Ahmed Mufti, director of investment at Jeddah Mayoralty, said the Central Fish Market has no authority to raise charges of shops and sales outlets in the market.

“We’ll monitor the market to prevent hiking of prices on fishermen,” he said.

The council proposed a joint meeting of municipal officials and various groups of fishermen in order to find solutions for the latter’s problems.

Hussein bin Alawi Baaqeel, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the need to develop fishing, being one of the oldest professions in the city.

“We have recommended that the municipality ask the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to allow the cooperative society to rent places in the fish market without taking lots,” he said.

The municipality has been advised to conduct a study on the present situation of the market and present proposals to develop the facility. Baaqeel also called for the unity of fishermen in order to win their rights.

Bassam bin Jameel Akhdar, a member of the council, urged fishermen to benefit from the experiences of others.