January or Penamujuiku’s in Mi’kma’ki
By: Bryan Martin
Strolling to the ice-covered sea with youngsters and canine in tow in January. Picture: B. Martin
Oh January! Also called Penamujuiku’s in Mi’kma’ki, the Conventional Ancestral Territory on which I name residence, now generally known as the Maritimes. Penamujuiku’s means the month that the punamu come into the estuaries close to shore to spawn underneath the ocean ice. Punamu are extra generally generally known as tomicod, frost fish, or Atlantic Tomcod, and have at all times been an essential winter meals for the Mi’kmaq. They are often noticed straight from the waters edge via cracks or holes within the sea ice at excessive tide. These little fish look much like shrunken down variations of their gadus cousins, the notorious Atlantic codfish. One of many distinctive options of the punamu is their means to supply antifreeze proteins that permit them to tolerate below-freezing water temperatures. They’re additionally scrumptious (for these which are into that form of factor!).
The one purpose I’ve come to know a lot about this marvelous little fish is my curiosity within the sea, regardless of the season. In January I love the punamu, observing them via the cracks within the ice as I wander the shoreline. It’s a reminder that the ocean is alive 12 months of the 12 months, in all climate circumstances.
The Sea Is For All Seasons
Alternate names: Tomcod, frostfish
Scientific title: Microgadus tomcod
Widespread title in English: Tomcod
Widespread title in Mi’kmaq: Punamu
There was a time after I would say goodbye to the ocean in September or October, solely observing her chilly wintery magnificence from afar till Could or June. It wasn’t till a couple of years in the past, with some light coaxing from buddies, that I started to increase my swimming, or maybe extra exactly, “dipping” season. It was a method for me to not solely proceed interacting with the ocean over the winter, but in addition a method to proceed having the ocean entrance of thoughts. By venturing all the way down to the water’s edge in all seasons and temperatures, I can see that the ocean continues to teem with life and I can observe all of the completely different processes which are occurring round and underneath the ice. The sounds that the slush makes because it slowly attenuates the waves alongside the shore is calming, these first crackles because the ice begins to freeze is mesmerizing. As soon as the thicker ice has fashioned, the harbour water beneath the ice turns into calm and clear within the absence of waves. A usually turbid water appears crystal as compared. Creatures which are ‘chilly blooded’, or exothermic, transfer extra slowly, and seaweeds sway as if in no specific hurry. Aside from our frosty punamu, life underneath the ice slows down. Even the harbour seals popping up via respiratory holes appear a little bit extra laidback this time of 12 months. Their pure predators have lengthy left for hotter waters and the silence on the ice permit them to listen to us from far-off.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is a scientist, activist, group organizer, creator of many books together with, “Blue Thoughts,” and a dad. He helps individuals reestablish more healthy, extra artistic and regenerative relationships with themselves, one another and their atmosphere via water, marvel, wellness and wildlife.
The critters underneath the ice will not be the one ones to decelerate this time of 12 months. January tends to be a time when individuals additionally decelerate after the vacation season. The shorter days and chilly climate can have us holed up inside for days at a time. Some individuals cope effectively with this gradual time of 12 months by catching up on indoor tasks, studying that new ebook, or studying find out how to bake bread, whereas others might really feel a little bit SAD (Seasonal Affective Dysfunction) or ‘blue’. That’s the place nature will help, particularly the ocean.
Wallace J. Nichols describes in his ebook: Blue Thoughts – The stunning Science that Exhibits How Being Close to, In, On, or Below Water Can Make You Happier, More healthy, Extra Related, and Higher at What You Do, that being close to water can diminish anxiousness, scale back stress, enhance creativity, convey us peace, and enhance our general effectively being. It might remind us how our happiness is tied to the pure world, and why it’s essential to maintain the pure world wholesome and thriving. Why solely expertise these helpful results in the course of the summer time?
Hook up with Nature
Waves and sea ice crashing on shore in Newfoundland, Canada
If you’re feeling further courageous strolling alongside a winter shoreline, chilly water swimming, or dipping, also can join you to nature. I’ve been dipping for round 5 years now, and am hooked. I wish to get into the chilly salt water because it appears to reset my thoughts by the use of it taking all of my focus and forcing me to be within the second the place nothing is extra essential. I are inclined to really feel a being a part of nature with a a lot deeper appreciation for the ocean after a chilly dip. For those who dwell in a tidal space, catching the tide when it’s excellent might power you to be out earlier than the morning time underneath a moonlit sky. Or maybe you’re going to get out late within the day when the solar is shining her final pink rays over the ice as you slip into the chilly water. However you shouldn’t have to get moist to reap the advantages of the ocean, you merely must be current and by her aspect and witness her in all colors and seasons. Whether or not dipping or not, getting out to the seashore will be an effective way to search out peace and calm throughout a time of 12 months the shoreline might be its quietest. Perhaps in the event you get actually near the ice, you would possibly see the punamu, shifting about, having fun with the chilly ocean.
Security First
*As a disclaimer, by no means enterprise out on to ice until you may have an intimate information and expertise with the native tides, currents, depths, and ice thickness, and by no means get into water via ice that’s deeper than your waist (squat down as a substitute) as it could be troublesome to get again out. Equally, by no means stroll on the ice the place the water is deeper than your waist. Test together with your physician earlier than chilly water dipping and at all times swim with a buddy.
In regards to the Creator
Bryan Martin, Picture: L. Campbell
Bryan Martin grew up close to the Baie des Chaleur in northern New Brunswick and, regardless of dwelling, learning, or working in all 4 Atlantic Provinces, has by no means strayed removed from the ocean. Being an outright ocean fanatic, you’ll typically discover him swimming, paddling, or advocating for the ocean. Bryan loves to attach with individuals concerning the sea, at present works because the Ocean Advisor with the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council, and sits on the CaNOE board of administrators. He at present lives inside a stone’s throw from the harbour in Epekwitk/PEI along with his spouse, two younger ladies, and ‘little’ black lab.