A weekend defined by precision and passion
Now in its 12th edition, the Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament (FOFT) 2025 once again transformed the east coast into a stage for skill, endurance and camaraderie. Over three days, 281 anglers across 45 teams took to the open sea, turning Fujairah’s waters into a showcase of precision, perseverance and sportsmanship. The event has become one of the UAE’s most respected fishing tournaments, recognized for its balance between competition and conservation.
Since the tournament’s earliest days, Palma Holding has proudly supported the FOFT as a key sponsor and trophy partner. This enduring partnership reflects Palma’s deep connection to community initiatives that celebrate excellence, teamwork and respect for nature, values that also define its approach to architecture and development.
The craft of offshore fishing
Offshore fishing, often called deep-sea fishing, is a sport that blends endurance, navigation and precision. Unlike coastal or reef fishing, it takes place several miles from the shore, where the waters of the Arabian Sea host large pelagic species such as marlin, sailfish, tuna and kingfish. The discipline demands patience, technical skill and the ability to read ocean currents and weather patterns.
Competitors in the Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament operate specialized sportfishing vessels, typically 30 to 50 feet in length, equipped with advanced sonar, outriggers and reinforced decks designed to manage the power of large game fish. Each boat carries a captain and crew working in synchrony, tracking movement, adjusting lines and recording catches with precision. The result is a sport that combines teamwork and seamanship with a deep respect for marine life, reflecting the same values of balance and mastery that define Palma Holding’s approach to its craft.
Tides of competition
The tournament opened with strong momentum. Day 1 saw five marlins released, one disqualified marlin under 200 kg (resulting in –1,000 points) and two sailfish released.
Day 2 followed with eight marlins and one sailfish released, setting a competitive rhythm that continued into Day 3, where five more marlins were released and three landed.
Each catch added precision to the scoreboard and underscored the sustainability ethos of the event , catch-and-release remained a guiding principle throughout.
Champions of the deep
After three days of competition, the Nomadic Team, captained by Mohammed Alsafar, earned first place with 2,500 points, followed by Team Nina led by Arturo Jorge Ferrari with 2,000 points.
Third and fourth places went to Fish Tales and Changler, while The Reelist rounded out the top five with 1,683.5 points.
Record breakers and rising talent
Among the standout moments, Malan Pieter Volschenk of No Regrets set a new kingfish record at 16.10 kg, surpassing the team’s 2020 record.
Youth and female participation also shone: Fish Tales’ Lilly Sky Jones claimed Best Junior Angler, while Karla Ann Du Plessis of Onlyfins earned Best Lady Angler with a sailfish totaling 521 points.
Sponsors and community spirit
The event’s continued success reflected the support of its partners, Fujairah Free Zone, Fujairah Holidays, Hydra Marine, Fish On, Barracuda, and Palma Holding, whose trophies symbolized teamwork and precision at sea.
Collectively, they helped position the FOFT as a celebration of sustainable sport fishing and community engagement.
A tradition that connects generations
Beyond the competition, the weekend reinforced the values of patience, respect for nature and camaraderie that define the sport. For Palma Holding, as a proud sponsor, the tournament exemplified the same pursuit of excellence found in its architectural and community developments, a balance between mastery, environment and passion.
To see how these values extend into everyday living, read Seamless living at Serenia Residences: community management with intention.
