The people of Farsan Islands off the Jazan coast are celebrating the 10th Hareed (parrotfish) Festival today.
The festival is accompanied by folk songs and other heritage activities. The major event of the day is a contest for the best catcher of the fish. The fishing festival is a culturally significant event in the Farasan Islands, and has been incorporated into management plan for the Farasan Islands Marine Protected Area. The festival season starts every year when swarms of this pretty fish appear in the shallow waters in the Al-Hasis gulf close to the Farsan island. The fish gets its name from the numerous teeth that are arranged in a tightly packed mosaic on the external surface of the jawbones, forming a parrot-like beak.
Large number of tourists visit the island to attend the festival. Additional ferry services are arranged to accommodate the visitors.
Hareed festival in Farasan Islands starts
