Chief Fisheries Officer of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard, believes the exchange will foster the sharing of diverse experiences, lessons and provide solutions to common challenges faced by both participating countries. She noted, “This intervention will increase the resilience of Tri Tri fishers to adapt to the vagaries of climate change and to ensure the sustainability of livelihoods, poverty reduction, and food and nutrition security.”

During the exchange, Dominican fisherfolks got a hands-on experience of Titiwi/Tri-Tri harvesting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines while Dominica showcased a culinary experience and demonstrate the many delicacies that can be created using the Tri Tri, including a unique Tri
Tri punch. 

Dominica’s Fisheries Officer, Diana Degallerie, believes that this exchange program will advance greater collaboration in the fisheries industry among vendors from both countries that will birth new ideas and opportunities for growth. Reflecting on the first phase of the
exchange, she noted, “The fishers have been able to connect and learn from each other. That’s one of the biggest benefits from phase one – allowing the fishers to form new connections and understand how the other country is harvesting, processing, preparing, and selling the fish.”

Meanwhile, Dominica has already made great progress in using the fish to add value to other industries. The Titiwi Festival held in September is a showcase of music and culinary arts using the Titiwi Baiters Fish and has become a flagship tourism event on the island’s annual calendar of events.
The groups from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica are also planning to launch a recipe book as part of a collaborative venture under EnGenDER. 

EnGenDER’s Project Manager, Dr. Marium Alleyne, believes that such initiatives being supported by the UNDP not only strengthens the organization’s commitment but also improves lives and promotes sustainability within the respective fishing sectors.