KAREN EARNSHAW
The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority hosted a World Tuna Day 2022 celebration in the HQ parking lot on May 14, the second year it has celebrated the big day at its new facilities. The biggest feature of the afternoon was the slicing and dicing of, what else?, tuna, with the competition divisions being Tuna Cutting, Best Poke, Cooking Tuna, and Tuna Jerky.
There were also arts and video contests.
According to MIMRA’s Education and Awareness Officer Absalom ‘Barab’ Edwards: “All the competitions had participants from MIFV, Misco Market, MIMRA-Outer Islands Fish Market Center, Canvasback Wellness Center, Korale Jerky, MIHS, KAHS, CMI Marine Science Program and local tuna enthusiasts.”
The crowd attending the event was thrilled that “all the tuna used for the event was given for free to the public after the final products were produced by the competitors.”
All the competitions, except for the Tuna Cutting, were judged by the crowd.
A feature of the day was the tuna carving and cooking competition, which had four divisions. Follows are the cooks who scored some moolah for their efforts: Carving division first place Lilibeth Sadia, second Allu Anmontha, third Rudol Muller.
Jerky division first place Candy Reason, second Derral Helious. Poke division first place Allu Anmontha, second Roles Alfonso, third Elson Naisher.
Cooking division, first Monyca Sudnovsky, second Roles Alfonso, third Wanok Jorju. Also recognized for participating were Mack Alfred, Ione deBrum, and Neilan Albert.
To watch a video of the Tuna Day event, go to: https://youtu.be/TziJymmVqrY