Normal year, El Nino year, La Nina year

Normal year

the trade winds blow from east to west across the equator

This wind pushes warm water toward Australia and Southeast Asia, making the weather there warm and rainy

As the warm water moves away, cold water from deep in the ocean rises up along the coast of South America. This cold water is good for fishing because it brings up nutrients

The pressure in the ocean is different in two places

There's high pressure near South America (in the east)

There's low pressure near Australia and Southeast Asia (in the west)

El Nino year

the trade winds that usually blow from east to west get weaker and even change direction, blowing from west to east

The warm water from the equator moves toward the Americas, bringing hotter and rainier weather to North and South America

The usual cold water that comes up along the coast of South America (which helps with fishing) doesn’t rise as much. This is bad for fishing because there are fewer nutrients

in Australia and Southeast Asia

The weather gets cooler and drier than usual

There is high pressure in the west (in Australia and Southeast Asia) and low pressure in the east (near South America)

La Nina year

the trade winds get stronger than usual and blow from west to east even more

This strong wind pushes cold water up from the ocean deep near South America, making the water cooler than normal. This is great for fishing because it brings lots of nutrients to the surface

in Australia and Southeast Asia

The weather gets warmer and rainier than usual