Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jan 5: In a rare and fascinating natural phenomenon, lacs of fish washed ashore at Hejamady beach in Udupi district on New Year week, turning the coastal stretch into a scene of celebration and excitement for locals.
Visitors and residents strolling along the shoreline were taken by surprise as huge shoals of fish suddenly leapt towards the coast, piling up along the beach. Delighted by the unexpected bounty, people rushed in large numbers, collecting as many fish as they could and carrying them home.
According to local fishermen, the incident occurred when traditional shore-seine nets were cast into the sea. In an attempt to escape the nets, lacs of fish swam rapidly towards the shallow waters and ended up on the shore. Indian oil sardines, locally known as Boothayi, were gathered in large quantities, giving residents the feeling of a bumper catch without venturing into the sea.
Boothayi fish is commonly available in coastal markets and is known for its rich taste. It is also believed to possess medicinal properties, and oil extracted from this fish is used to prepare nutritional supplements. Following the incident, Boothayi dishes became the main topic of conversation in many households in the area.
Videos showing locals filling plastic bags with fish along the shoreline have since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention.
Marine experts explain that such incidents are occasionally witnessed along the Karnataka and Kerala coasts. During certain seasons, nutrient-rich cold water from deeper layers of the sea rises to the surface, attracting lacs of fish towards the shore. A sudden drop in oxygen levels in deeper waters, known as hypoxia, can also force fish and crustaceans to move towards oxygen-rich shallow areas, resulting in mass beaching. In rare cases, such behaviour is also associated with seismic activity beneath the seabed.
For fishermen and coastal communities, such moments are often described as nothing short of a festival gifted by nature.