Background. Mañahak is certainly a heavily desired yet seasonal seafood item that has existed in the Chamorro culture for over hundreds of years. These tiny juvenile Rabbit fish make their appearance around April-May and occasionally in October of each year. When these fish make their appearance, many fishermen and women will cease all activities to hunt these fish down. Yes, many will even take a leave of absence from work too due to the mañahak fever!
Time Capsule. In 1927, it was estimated that 75 tons of mañahak were caught throughout the shores and beaches on Guam. At the time there was an island-wide shortage of commercial salt, which threatened the loss of the majority of the catch. However, Tun Pedro Pangelinan Martinez helped with the shortage when he came forward with 25,000 pounds of salt from his ice plant. (Pacific Profiles, 1964)
How do you prefer your mañahak???
