For Saudi households, 3.7 % of males and 4.3 % of females do not eat fish: for expatriates, the percent not eating fish was 6.6 % and 6.1 % respectively. Most people eat fish at home (92 % Saudis, 97 % expats), and many eat fish at restaurants (65 % and 48 %, respectively). The criteria people used in deciding which fish to purcahse were similar for Saudis and expats. Both mentioned that quality was the primary consideration when purchasing fish (about 70 % of respondents), followed by freshness (40–45 % of respondents), and then price (20–22 %). Other reasons included source, taste, convenience, and fishing ground (local or not).
Most households obtained their fish from fish markets or supermarkets (Table 2). 23 % of Saudi households, and 18 % of expats had members that engaged in recreational fishing, and they all ate their fish. Most (over 80 %) fishing was by hook and line, although some people used spears, traps, or gill nets (about 18–25 %).