Tri Tri in abundance in Colonaire River (+Video)

The seasonal harvesting of tri tri was like an early Christmas present for scores of residents in villages of the South Central and North Central Windward Constituencies this week who turned out for an abundant harvest of tri tri.

“I never see more tri tri in my life,” a resident of Colonaire commented.

From as early as Monday, December 19 people began rushing to the Colonaire River to catch tri tri, which many considered to be their early Christmas gift.

Entire families, including children, flocked to the river to get their share of the tiny scale-less fish.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that at the Colonaire River there were persons from Dickson Village, Langley Park and other parts of Georgetown, Byera, Park Hil, South Rivers, Mt Grenan Diamonds, New Grounds along with residents of Colonaire themselves.

From as early as 5:00 a.m, some persons headed for the river with their flour sacks, buckets, bowls and other items necessary to catch the fast-swimming tri tri.

They cut their bags to size and set them in the water and used stones to keep the bags in place.

These bags are used to trap the tri tri and after about 30 minutes or more can be raised and the tri tri transferred to buckets.

“Right now, is tri tri and Christmas, we all are families, when tri tri come, we come together,” one person commented.

Apart from being a fun tradition in the countryside, tri tri catching is a form of livelihood for many persons.

It is seasonal, and in demand when caught, so persons make a reasonable living from this.

Many persons sell their catch in the area right along the Colonaire bridge, while others move into various communities, or even into Kingstown to earn some money from the tri tri they harvest.

Tri tri cakes are a Vincentian delicacy and a favourite treat in many households- as well as Vincentians abroad.

Apart from making tri tri cakes, some cook the tri tri and pour it over their rice.

A female Colonarie resident said she is thanking God for sending the tri tri at this time and is happy that so many families have been able to harvest.

“We have to sell some and save up some because it come so heavy and we don’t know when it is going to come again”.

In November this year there was also an abundance of tri tri at the Colonaire River.