A surge of sardines in coastal waters in Fort Kochi and Vypeen on Monday has startled fishermen and scientists alike.
Scientists have, however, said the dumping of oil sardines on the shore by waves is not a case of mud bank formation or traditional ‘chakara’. A marine scientist said that when fishermen found an abundance of fish in a place, they tended to call it a ‘chakara’ as a way of expression to indicate the plentifulness.
A resident said that the flood of oil sardines was noticed both at the sea mouth near Fort Kochi and Vypeen and the phenomenon lasted for about two hours during which period people were easily picking up the fish with bare hands.
