Flipping shoals:- it is a fast moving fish shoal ,which is a trait of common Sardine shoals locally called as Meenpadam. The main characteristic of flipping shoals is the occurrence of frequent splashing noises accompanied by jerking movement of the surface water. In this type of shoals some sardines are visible at the top of the sea, and they help to understand the identity of the shoal. This is the feature of Oil Sardine. This type of flipping shoal is more frequently seen during the morning, evening hours and nights. It is mainly because of the low temperature of sea water. Pattering Shoals:- this is also a shoal pattern of sardine fish locally known as meenpadam. It is observed in the month of October –December. Pattering is characterized by frequent small noises either simultaneous or in quick succession which look like the sound of rain drops falling in the sea. Pattering shoals are common during nights than day time. Rippling Shoals: The formation of ripples is a characteristic of shoals moving at the surface and is called by the local fisherman as polappu . Rippling is noticed even when the wind is heavy. Rippling areas are more clearly surrounded than in the case of other type of shoals. Since they are actually in contact with surface of water,it is commonly seen during the month of June-July.
This shining of fish shoal is locally called “Kavradikkal”
