More than 1,000 people have contested the first two rounds of the Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship.
Grab your fishing rod as the dates for the third round of the second edition of Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship have been announced.
Men and women from across the UAE will take to the water at Mughirah beach in Al Mirfa City in Al Dhafrah region from 17 to 26 March as part of the Kingfish Fishing Season in Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the third round will see a total of 20 prizes worth AED 920,000 up for grabs with the first-place winner taking home a cool AED 120,000.
The first two rounds saw more than 1,000 participants take part.
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Speaking on the announcement of the championship, Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Director of Planning and Projects Department of the Committee, said: “The championship aims to promote the coasts and islands of Al Dhafra Region.
“The event creates a valuable opportunity for traditional sport fishing amateurs to participate in such championships and encourages sportsmanship, while reviving fishing as a hobby, contributing to maritime safety, regulating kingfish hunting, and preserving traditional competitions that perpetuate the UAE heritage.”
The only fishing method allowed at the Championship is trolling, as per the guidelines of the championship’s organising committee, while fishing by all kinds of weaving is not allowed, including hayla, brassim, nylon, marine pistol, manshla or poi and all other means.
The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi Championship terms and conditions include shooting a video of the contestant’s action – starting with catching the fish and ending with taking its weight (minimum fish weight is 25kg for men and 15kg for women).
The Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship isn’t the only water-based activities going on in the region this March.
The Maritime Heritage Festival and the Al Dhafra Water Festival will also be taking place at the end of the month.
Both festivals celebrate and promote Emirati’s relationship and heritage with the sea.
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