Describe symbolism in Reef by Romesh Gunesekera

The ocean/water is a prominent symbol throughout Part III of Reef. In times of trouble, it feels to Triton as if the ocean is pressing around them. His description of the ocean as "snatching at their ankles with a thousand fingers and clawing the sand from under their feet" is symbolic of what actually happens to Mister Salgado and Nili-and to all of them in the end.