Like the wind The ocean currents (valivu) move mainly eight different directions:
- unnakke (towards the ocean)
- karayittu (towards the coast/shore)
- melaattu or vaadanivaadu (westward/eastwards)
- keelaatu or cholaneevaadu, (eastwards/northwards)
- mela unnakki (eastwards towards the ocean
- melakarayittu (eastwards towards the coast
- keelaa unnekki (westward towards the ocean and
- keelaakarayittu (westward towards the coast).
The flow or current of ocean water which is stronger than usual is called uratha valivu. A current which is called upperukkam vachu, one which flows from the east to the west, is a very dangerous current for the kattamarams that are ready for landing. Ocean currents are also keevalivu (deep water currents) and mevaliv (surface currents). Keevalivu and mevalivu can go either in different directions or in the same direction. If the valivu or water movements are in two different directions, they are known as valivu ivalivappettu. According to fishermen, wind systems are one of the primary forces that makes the water move – they give motion to the ocean. Knowledge about these currents is critical not only for the navigation but also for catching fish and preparing the gear. Some ocean currents are seasonal; during the south-west monsoon (June-July-August or Aaniaadi-aavani-Tamil Months), south-west monsoon winds move from the west to east (cholanivaadu). This time the sea and the coastal environment are comparatively cooler than during other months. This season is known as Kuluthi, when the submarine water is the coolest. As a result, deep sea fishes are forced to move on the ocean surface and/or they try to look for warmer weather conditions near the shore. This phenomenon makes fishermen able to catch more fish than during other months.
The upwelling process is much visible these days and that leads to karaneeru or planktons. Because of the large presence of planktons, they are able to catch more fish during this season. This could be one of the main reasons for their season commencing with the south-west monsoon or Aani-Aadi though the first month of Tamil calendar is chithirai (mid April – mid May) and Malayalam calendar is Chingam (August – September). Monsoon season is particularly featured with kachaan kondal (wind movements from northwest to southwest) and cholanivaadu (ocean currents moving eastwards).
©Panipilla & Jament, 2017
References:
- Panipilla, R., & Jament, J. (2017). 4. Case Study: Mukkuva Community in South India: socio-religious history and biocultural diversity. Knowing our Lands and Resources, 56.