Tiningo' Peskadot

Interviewing a Chamoru fisherman - Melia Ha'åni Cruz

[tiningopeskadot]

Just a Note

The information below is information I've obtained through interviews with a peskadot, or fisherman. I do also have audio clips of this interview in Chamoru and English and would like to supplement these posts with them, but editing those clips may prove to be quite time-consuming, so I plan to add these later. 

Interviewing a Chamoru peskadot was an enlightening experience. Perhaps the most interesting element of this experience was analyzing the  differences in explanations and information provided when the interviewee spoke in English and when he spoke in Chamoru. I also plan to add the Chamoru versions of these interviews to this blog. 

Si Yu'os Ma'åse para i tiempo-mu!

[tiningopeskadot]

Hima - giant clam

"This can be caught in deeper waters, anywhere from 5 feet and deeper. Normally, it is harvested by being picked up off the ocean floor. It is a Chamoru favorite used for making kelaguen. The only way to acquire the hima is by diving."

[tiningopeskadot]

Katsusito - Juvenile shark

"Baby sharks are caught and used as a delicacy. They're normally caught with a gill net, rod and reel, and/ or line and hook. Normally, they're no more than 2 1/2 feet. We cook it with turmeric and coconut milk. It has a very silky texture and can be compared to scallops, but it is more tender."

[tiningopeskadot]

Ngosngos - Cuttlefish

"This can be caught using artificial lure. It is caught within the channel areas of the water."

[tiningopeskadot]

Titugue - Giant moray eel

"These are caught using a hook and line, and/or through spearfishing. They may also be caught using a gill net. They are aggressive, and they will bite you. Care must be taken when catching this type of eel. There are two types, one, the Chamorus call, 'titugue hagman.' This one is more aggressive. Smaller ones normally stay within the rocks and reef area, while the larger ones stay in the deeper waters."

[tiningopeskadot]

Saksak - glasseye

"The glass eye is normally caught in the evening, during the night or after dark. It can be caught using artificial and/or cut bait like squid. You can also catch them in the daytime using gill nets by surround an area and chasing them out from under the rocks. They normally live in the deeper ends of the ocean, such as the channel areas."

[tiningopeskadot]

Hangon, Tataga', and Guasa - Orangespine unicornfish, white-margin unicornfish, and juvenile white-margin unicorn

  "The unicorn fish, the orangespine is usually caught using a spear, hook and line, and/or using a gill net. The same thing applied to the white-margin unicorn fish. They are both caught with the same method. They are a vegetarian type of fish, and normally, we use seaweed as a form of bait to catch them."

[tiningopeskadot]

Hiyok - Bluebanded surgeonfish

"This one can be caught by using a gill net, or a rod and reel. If you use the rod and reel, you should use sea moss. They also like bread."

[tiningopeskadot]

Atuhong - Humphead wrasse

   "The two main differences between wrasse are that one has a longer snout, and the other one is rounded off. The bigger one, the humphead wrasse, is normally caught with a spear due to its size and the depth of the water it's in. They're a seasonal fish and can only be caught during the rainy season. They can get as big as maybe 400 - 500 pounds. The spear for a fish that big has to have a bang tip."

[tiningopeskadot]

Pulonan, Pulonan Matingan - Titan and picasso triggerfish

"As far as the triggerfish goes, there are mainly two types. They are different colors, but they are the same species. They have the giant ones, big ones, called 'pulonan matingan.' 'Matingan,' means, 'out of the reef.' The best way to catch them is to use a gill net or a hook and line, using cut bait such as squid or fresh tuna."

[tiningopeskadot]

Lågua, Palaksi - Bullethead and Bicolor Parrotfish

"There are two varieties I'll talk about. One is the palaksi (bicolor), the other one is the blue, bullethead one (lågua). It is one of the favorites of Chamorus because it is a versatile fish for preparing and eating. The palaksi has a softer texture and is better used for soup or pickled preparation. The bullethead is better for frying and for one of our favorite dishes, kelaguen. It can be caught with a hook and line using various baits and methods, but the best method of catching it would be to use a gill net."

[tiningopeskadot]

This photo was obtained off of Google Image Search under the search term "guam fish." A direct link is included below.

http://www.interkart.de/images/medium/590013_01.jpg