‘Tal-Qaħba Method’: Maltese Foodies Resurrect Traditional And Sustainable Fishing Trick
One of the most sustainable and offensively-named methods for catching cuttlefish in Malta has been resurrected by local foodies dedicated to Maltese fare.
Natural Preserves is all about exploring Maltese products, going back to traditional ways that have been used across the island – and their latest information about catching cuttlefish is eye-catching, to say the least.
1. They broke down the tmilla method (aka the tal-qaħba method) and how you can do it too – as long as you have a healthy, female cuttlefish, that is.
“Tmilla is a term only used in Mellieħa and Gozo, the rest of the island calls it tal-qaħba (yes yes I know),” Natural Preserves said. “Legend says it was developed in Mellieħa, and from there started being used across the island.”
“First, you start off by catching a young female cuttlefish. During mating season (which runs from February to roughly May) a female will carry infertile egg groups in the opening under the mantle. The mantle is usually also on a pinkish tinge while males have a bluish tinge to them. Either way, once sexed the female is kept alive and very well looked after much like a pet.”
2. Once you have a female, you need calm weather.
“Once the weather is very calm, I mean crystal clear calm, you use the female as a lure and row her behind a boat, and no you can’t use an engine it doesn’t work.”
3. Then, everything starts coming together.
“Once the males come to mate with her, you let them both out using a net and put the female back in and repeat. This fishing method takes time and can last five to six hours, only yielding around 30 males on a good day.”
4. Save the female, dispatch the males.
“And after you’re done, the female now carries fertile eggs and she is released back into the wild.The males (sorry guys, the more useless sex) are quickly dispatched.”
Natural Preserves regularly share delicious and informative takes on Maltese cuisine – and their passion and knowledge shines through.
If you are looking for some new recipes, ideas – or fishing methods – check out their page, and keep it sustainable.
Cover photo right: @cristian_olivieri
What do you think of these old school Maltese names? Sound off in the comments below
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