In the 20^th century the Arabian Gulf was the largest diving economy. Pearling boats in the 1950s were commonplace. However, EMEG and Jumairah group have jointly formed a new pearl diving eco tour in waters off Palm Jebel Ali.

The pearl tradition in the UAE will not be forgotten even if it has gone. Swaidi invited reporters from Gulf news on a pearling dive to a secluded protected cove where the media learned about pearl diving.

The oyster hunters aren’t rich and the dhow outing was about the journey. The Arabian dhow was made of wood and it was the length of it about 60 feet. Before a lot of people were searching for the pearls but nowadays the number of people has decreased to be much less.

Long ago people went sealing and looking for the pink pearl as it is hard to find it. People were saying “from each 100 oysters maybe you can find only one pearl”.

Now, in one of the biggest hotels in Dubai they are doing a diving for pearls as an activity to attract the tourists and if anyone found a pearl he can keep it as a souvenir.

 

 

Ali AL Hammadi

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