Old Doha Port Announces the Return of Its Annual Fishing Competition

Prizes worth QAR 300,000 in celebration of the importance of fishing, maritime heritage, and the start of fishing season in the region

Marking a major highlight of Old Doha Port’s first-ever Fishing Exhibition, the much-loved annual Fishing Competition returns on April 11 and 12, 2025, in collaboration with Doha Marine Sports Club.

Following the success of its debut last year, the competition returns bigger and better, bringing together professional fishermen, hobbyists, and marine enthusiasts in a spirited celebration of Qatar’s deep-rooted maritime culture. This competition is considered one of the main events accompanying the Fishing Exhibition, which has been announced to take place from April 9 to 12, 2025, at Old Doha Port.

With over QAR 300,000 in prizes up for grabs, including a grand prize valued at QAR 150,000 for first place, the event underscores Old Doha Port’s commitment to hosting engaging, community-driven initiatives that celebrate tradition and togetherness.

Registration is now open and will continue until 2:00 PM on April 11, 2025. To secure a spot, participants are encouraged to call 55734539 to complete their registration. Teams must be led by a Qatari captain (nukhatha), though residents may join as team members. Participation requires submitting a completed registration form, personal identification for all team members, and a valid boat registration.

This year’s competition focuses exclusively on kingfish (kan’ad), a prized regional catch. Participants will set sail from Old Doha Port at sunrise on April 11 for a full day at sea, where they will submit a video documenting their single best catch of the day, including full footage of the fishing process, boat registration, and weight verification. Final submissions must be sent to the organizing committee by 8:00 PM on Day 1.

On April 12, the final day of the competition and the Fishing Exhibition, participants will gather at Old Doha Port for live fish weighing, verification, and an awards ceremony at Mina Park, south of Mina District. Winners will be determined based on the weight of their top kingfish catch, and in the case of a tie, the first submission received will be declared the winner. The top 10 teams will be awarded.

The 2024 edition witnessed an impressive turnout with over 240 participants across 50 teams, and the atmosphere was electric with camaraderie, storytelling, and healthy competition.

Engineer Mohammed Abdullah Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port, said: “The Fishing Competition supports Old Doha Port’s strategy to encourage watersports, which are an integral part of Qatar's rich maritime heritage. We’re very excited for its return this year as a main feature of our first-ever Fishing Exhibition. This competition reflects our mission at Old Doha Port of being a place where tradition meets innovation, and where people gather to create shared memories rooted in Qatari culture.”

The Fishing Exhibition will run from April 9 to 12, 2025 at Mina Park south of Mina District, marking the official start of the fishing season in the region and serving as the broader cultural platform supporting the Fishing Competition. The event pays homage to Qatar’s fishing heritage while highlighting the evolution of the regional fishing industry through 30 exhibition stands, live artisan demonstrations, and traditional maritime music.

This combined celebration of sea, craft, and community is part of Old Doha Port’s growing cultural calendar.

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