Diamondback Squid recipe book launched in Dominica
By Mara Etienne-Manley
Dominicans can now welcome a new seafood addition to their dinner tables, as the Fisheries Division here launched its first ever cookbook titled ‘53 recipes of Diamond Back Squid’ on November 11, 2011.
Diamondback Squid Recipe Book, '53 Recipes'
Over the past few months, local consumers have been enjoying this high quality protein squid that has once been an underutilized seafood species in Dominica.
The Diamond Back Squid (DBS) is a large species of squid that can grow to 100 cm in mantle length with a total body weight of over 45 lbs. Until recently this species remained completely deficient in the Dominican diet as it was not caught in the past by local fishermen who instead, targeted specific fish species of a greater commercial interest.
However, in January 2011, fishing experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted training workshops on experimental fishing operations of Diamond Back Squid in Dominica and have since funded the promotion and commercial launch of the squid with the support of the Dominica Fisheries Division.
This formed part of a pilot project for Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) and Associated Pelagic Fishery Resource Development and Management research program aimed at formulating a regional master plan on sustainable use of fisheries resources for coastal community development in the Caribbean.
The newly launched recipe book was compiled by Japanese and Dominican culinary experts and was developed to promote the catch and consumption of this nutritional marine resource thereby contributing to Dominica’s food and nutrition security. Recipes include Diamondback Squid Accra, Stamina Squid Punch, Diamondback Squid with BBQ Sauce and Diamondback Squid Diet Bread.
Acting Chief Fisheries Officer Harold Guiste says this is a great achievement in the development of the Fisheries Division and the fishing industry in Dominica on a whole.
Harold Guiste- Chief Fisheries Officer (Ag.)
“If properly promoted and marketed, the fishermen of Dominica will have an opportunity to increase their income generating capacity on this high-value product which also has the potential for export. This will consequently contribute to the realization of the objectives of the [Dominica] Fisheries Division, which are, to reduce poverty and enhance the social and economic status of local fishermen and that of the coastal, rural communities in Dominica.”
Meanwhile JICA expert, Mitsuhiro Ishida says Dominica is fortunate as the Diamond Back Squid caught on the West Coast is one of the tastiest squid in the world.
Speaking on the behalf of the Minister for Environment and Fisheries, Hon. Kelver Darroux said the Diamond Back Squid offers another avenue for economic gain in Dominica and that the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries is proud that the Dominica Fisheries Division is now a leader in fostering Regional Technical Cooperation in the English-speaking Caribbean.
He also acknowledged the people and Government of Japan for their efforts to develop and implement new fishing methods in Dominica.
Hon. Kelver Darroux, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Fisheries
“I want to recognize the Government and the People of Japan for the substantial way in which they have assisted in the development of the Fisheries in Dominica. I want to recognize the work of the Japanese [International] Cooperation volunteers in providing training in the area of cooking and preparation of fish and to help develop some of the recipes for this recipe book which is being launched today.”
The DBS recipe book contains tips, a measuring guide, sauce recipes and other useful information and will be sold at local book stores for EC$20.00.