Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) successfully concluded the first round of the Dubai Fishing Championship after four consecutive days of strong competition. The event attracted more than 135 anglers, including two female participants, representing various nationalities, marking the largest gathering of its kind for this specialized fishing competition targeting kingfish and cobia categories. Total prize money reached AED 195,000, in addition to valuable in-kind prizes.

The competition was held at the Club’s headquarters at Dubai Harbour, running from early morning until late evening hours. Participants demonstrated a high level of competitiveness and exemplary commitment to the rules, reinforcing sportsmanship and the spirit of camaraderie throughout this outstanding sporting event. The awards ceremony took place on the final day in the presence of Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at Dubai International Marine Club; Brigadier Raed Ali Al Mehairi, representative of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority; Khalifa Al Hammadi from Sayaf Marine; and Ayoub Al Khaja from Dalma Marine.

Results

Emirati anglers dominated the top three positions in both categories. In the kingfish competition, Khalfan Rashid Al Zaidi secured first place with a catch weighing 35 kg and measuring 161 cm in length. Omar Ahmed Al Shamsi finished second with a fish weighing 29.85 kg and measuring 149 cm, while Salem Rashid Al Zaidi claimed third place with a catch weighing 26.95 kg and measuring 150 cm.

In the cobia category, Ali Saeed Al Mazrouei took first place with a fish weighing 26.95 kg and measuring 130 cm in length. He was followed by Mubarak Salem Al Mansouri in second place with a 25.90 kg fish measuring 125 cm, while Hamad Abdullah Ali finished third with a catch weighing 17 kg and measuring 109 cm.

Mohammed Al Marri, Director of Sports Affair at Dubai International Marine Club, confirmed the continuation of the initiative to donate all fish caught during the competition—totaling approximately 400 kg—to Beit Al Khair Society, in support of the “Food for All” project. This humanitarian initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to be distributed as charity in support of workers residing in the UAE.

Al Marri explained that the size, weight, and overall health of the fish reflect the significant efforts made by the UAE in protecting and preserving marine life, particularly these species. These efforts enable anglers to successfully find such fish in Dubai’s exceptional waters, in addition to the advanced skills of the experienced participants. This combination created daily excitement and anticipation as results depended on each angler’s catch, with suspense continuing until the final moments of the closing day.

He also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all participants—citizens, residents, and visitors from various nationalities—for adhering to safety standards and designated fishing areas. This reflects a strong community awareness of the importance of protecting the marine environment as a shared responsibility.

The total prize money of AED 195,000 was distributed as follows: AED 140,000 awarded to the top ten finishers in the kingfish category, and AED 30,000 awarded to the top three finishers in the cobia category. In addition to the Club’s cash prizes, Dalma Marine awarded AED 25,000 to the Kingfish Season Champion, while Sayaf Marine provided fishing rods for the top three finishers in both categories, along with in-kind discounts for other winners.

In a related announcement, Dubai International Marine Club confirmed that 13 February has been approved as the date for the second round of the Dubai Kayak Fishing Competition, to be held at Jebel Ali Beach in Dubai.