When one thinks of Jeddah or Damman and the Red Sea it is natural for thoughts to segue to the rich seafood that abounds there. I thought that when I was in India and visiting the city of Goa on India’s Arabian Sea coast that I encountered the largest prawns. I was wrong. The prawns that I have had from Saudi’s Red Sea are even larger and more succulent. While for some reason in the States we refer to prawns as shrimp in the rest of my travels prawns have always been called prawns.
A follower of American Bedu shared with me that recently the Saudi Arabian Natural History Society in Jeddah had a meeting where lecturer Laurence Cook provide a informative and interesting accounting of Saudi Arabia and its prawn history. This also prompted me to do some of my own research.
The National Prawns Company (NPC) located 15 kilometers from Al-Laith city and just south of Jeddah is the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It launched in 2003 on an area of 129 square kilometers and the goal to produce 30,000 tonnes of prawns, making the Kingdom one of the top ten producers of prawns. Yet in spite of this, according to Cook, the bulk of production is exported. The per capita consumption of prawns in the Kingdom is half a kilo per year.
The NPC uses a method of pure seawater and on a scale much larger than any standard shrimp (prawn) farms. NPC is a multi-phased project and its first phase consisted of ten farms each comprising up to 28 ponds with each pond measuring roughly ten hectares in size. Phase II which is estimated to come into production in 2010 are for an additional 13 farms.
I have also learned that prawn farming is a fine art and science combined requiring careful attention paid to sustainability, low-density stocking and partial harvests to prevent overcrowding. NPC maintains an extensive bio-security program with daily samplings taken by NPC scientists.
NPC is an internationally diverse company too with its 2400 employees coming from 26 different countries and speaking 19 languages among them. I wonder if NPC offers tours? I bet that would be fascinating as well as educational and give additional perspectives of not only the prawn industry but Saudi’s role in this industry.
Speaking at least for myself, I now have a new respect for prawns and how they make their way to the table! And of course while my mother-in-law Mama Moudy is always number one in cooking and so much more, I also wish to say how much I appreciate my sister-in-law Reghalia in Damman who makes the most incredible fresh seafood dishes I have ever tasted with special catches from the Red Sea!
Filed under: culture, Food, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: | culture, customs, Food, heritage, history, Jeddah, KSA, places, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel
Ohh.. now you have me dreaming of a seafood BBQ on the beach.
I might not find that luxury in Jeddah but now I’d like to visit to at least see the size of these prawns!
@Stacy,
I have no doubt you’d enjoy a visit to one of Jeddah’s best seafood restaurants. I’m not from Jeddah so can any Jeddites give some recommendations?
@American Bedu
Plenty. Most Jeddawi sea food enthusiasts travel to the northern fishing village of Dhahban (near Durrat Al Arous resort) for the many sea food restaurants there. If a road trip is out of the question “Kaddoura” is good. “Dolphin” and “Sea Cave” I hear are also good. Visit http://www.jeddahfood.com for more recommendations.
Very nice information here!
i love to eat seafood i read its useful for Cholesterol and as active sexuality and intelligence…because fishes and robins or shrimps eat from the plant in the sea….
Saudi Jawa – thanks for the recommendations. When we visit family in/around Jeddah or Damman we will have fresh prawns which we prepare.
Glad you liked Mohammed.
I love all seafood and especially prawns!
Jeddah is a good place to be
@Save the Women – as well as Damman! (smile)
I will have a chance to taste those Gulf Prawns in the New Year. Finally have our visas to come in for a visit and am so excited! I know the food will add a few kilos but it will be worth it!
Mabrook!!!! (congratulations)
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!! I have a big family of in-laws waiting for us and, thanks to Susie and your blogs I am very well prepared. The blogs are amazing! Am getting my abaya, etc before arrival so I will blend in. I even score well on the monthly quiz!!!! I’ll let you know of my experiences for sure.
Wendy,
I hope after you have been in KSA a few months you’ll let me interview you on your views and experiences and how they have changed if any from what you are expecting.
Cheers, Bedu
We are only coming in for a family visit for a month, Carol. Even so I’d be happy to give you my thoughts and experiences from that short term point of view. The good thing is that I will be with Saudi family and friends and not there as an expat or even seeing compound life. I am very much looking forward to this experience and feel fortunate that I’m getting the opportunity to have this visit.
my weakness is prawns!
my son refuses to eat them because he read somewhere they have a lot of iodine, and it causes acne (teenagers care more about their looks than their tummys). and my husband doenst like them eaither….
so at least once a month…i buy them for myself…and sizzle them in olive oil and garlic…and enjoy my special treat
@Wendy – you did say that earlier on visiting family — my apologies for confusion. And yes, please let me know when you have returned and I’d love to share your thoughts and impressions. (admin@americanbedu.com)
@Angie – I also enjoy prawns and especially the ones found in Saudi. Like Saudi’s date industry, its prawns are also supreme!
@Angie – I emailed you and wanted to let you know in case it were to go to spam.
i recieved your email
Oh Good!!!!!