Massive public interest, record-breaking competition turnout, and strong community engagement mark a new annual tradition in Qatar’s maritime calendar

The first edition of the Fishing Exhibition, held at Old Doha Port, achieved remarkable success and attracted a large turnout of visitors and participants. After four vibrant days of activities, Old Doha Port has successfully concluded its inaugural Fishing Exhibition and its accompanying and highly anticipated Fishing Competition, solidifying its place as Qatar’s premier cultural and sporting celebration of the sea.

Held at Mina Park from April 9–12, the Old Doha Port Fishing Exhibition brought together sea lovers, industry professionals, and families for a rich celebration of Qatar’s maritime heritage and modern fishing culture. From interactive showcases of traditional net-weaving to cutting-edge marine equipment, the exhibition highlighted the port’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and supporting fishing and marine sports enthusiasts while establishing itself as a one-stop destination for everything fishing.

The exhibition garnered incredible public and media attention, with visits from VIPs and dignitaries from various sectors, underscoring its cultural importance and national appeal within the event calendar of both the port and country.  Exhibitors reported overwhelming footfall and strong sales throughout the event, with many noting it as one of the most commercially successful activations of the season.

Throughout the four days of the inaugural Fishing Exhibition, traditional performances, hands-on experiences, and the festive outdoor atmosphere — complemented by Doha’s most sought-after dining options — created a space where heritage, sport, and community came together.

A key highlight of the event was the Old Doha Port Fishing Competition, held in collaboration with Doha Marine Sports Club. As the largest competition of its kind in the country in terms of participation and winning prizes for fishing competitions, it saw a remarkable turnout of 578 participants across 132 teams. Focused exclusively on kingfish (kan’ad), the competition concluded with 25 winners honored during a lively awards ceremony on the exhibition’s final evening.

Team Ash‘al, led by Captain Ahmed Issa Al Kulaifi, was crowned the overall winner of this year’s competition, reeling in the top catch at 32.55 kg — earning the highest score in a fiercely competitive field and taking home the QAR 150,000 grand prize. Team BuShahab1, led by Captain Misnad Hamad Al Mureikhi, secured second place with a catch at 28.30 kg, winning QAR 75,000, while Team Cobia, captained by Adel Bu Matar, came in third with a 24.30 kg catch and received QAR 45,000. Rounding out the top five were Team Ruqait, led by Captain Abdullah Ali Al-Mannai, who secured fourth place with a 21.30 kg catch, and Team Ajab Al-Janoub, captained by Khalid Ahmed Abdullah, who followed closely in fifth with a 21.20 kg haul. Both teams were awarded QAR 10,000 in recognition of their impressive performance and strong showing in this year’s highly competitive tournament.

With over QAR 300,000 in prizes, including marine gear, electric and manual kayaks, and luxury stays at Mina Hotel & Residences, the competition offered excitement, reward, and recognition for fishing enthusiasts across Qatar.

Engineer Mohammed Abdullah Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port, commented:
“At Old Doha Port, we see ourselves not just as a destination, but as the proud custodians of Qatar’s timeless bond with the sea. This week, that spirit came alive — in every wave of excitement, every echo of tradition, and every cast line during our Fishing Exhibition and Competition. It was a beautiful reminder that heritage, when shared with heart, becomes a living experience. We look forward to growing this annual celebration as the kick-off to the fishing season into one of the region’s defining marine traditions. We are also pleased by the great reception the Fishing Competition received and the unprecedented number of participants and fishing enthusiasts, reflecting our passion and strong connection to the marine environment. In turn, Old Doha Port is committed to further supporting these marine activities by increasing the number of competitions in the port’s event calendar and hosting the Fishing Competition annually as part of the Fishing Exhibition in its next edition.”

Old Doha Port continues to evolve as a leading destination for marine tourism, cultural programming, and community events. The success of this landmark edition sets a strong foundation for the years ahead — anchoring the past while sailing boldly into the future.