Riyadh Fishermen Prepare for 20th Hareed Fishing Festival
Excitement is brewing in the Jazan region as fishermen gear up for the highly anticipated 20th Hareed Fishing Festival, set to kick off on Thursday.
Celebrating the Catch of the Colorful Parrotfish
Hosted on Farasan Island for two days, the festival is a vibrant celebration of the fishing of parrotfish, also known as hareed.
Thrilling Activities Await Festival-Goers
Attendees can look forward to engaging in various tourist activities such as parasailing, traditional folk dances, and competitions for catching the elusive hareed.
A Challenge to Catch the Parrot-Like Fish
Hareed are known for their survival instinct, often hiding near corals. They are traditionally caught close to the shore in nets and are easily recognizable by their bright colors and unique teeth used for scraping food off coral reefs.
Exploring Farasan Island’s Rich Heritage
Visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to explore the heritage sites on Farasan Island, including Wadi Matar, Al-Qassar village, and Bait Al-Jarmal, as well as historic houses showcasing the island’s unique cultural heritage centered around sailing and pearl-diving experiences.
Jazan Governor to Inaugurate the Festival
Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser will officially launch the festival, organized by the region’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in collaboration with the islands’ governorate.
A Celebration of Customs and Traditions
According to Mohammed Al-Atif, the general director of the branch, the festival serves as an annual event highlighting the customs and traditions of the people of the Farasan Islands, while also showcasing the region’s tourism potential and celebrating the annual appearance of the hareed, a major attraction for locals in the Jazan region.