Our gov'nor has followed most states with a stricter stay at home mandate. This could change "Sailing in the time of Corona virus". The restrictions aren't onerous on those of us that have been adjusting for weeks to mostly the social distancing that is required to cut transmission of the virus.
The new restrictions will make it more difficult to get boats ready to launch for DIY sailers. Those of us that provide essential services (like me - building management) can still work and travel using accepted distancing, etc. We can still go the essential stores, food, hardware, supplies, but they'll be operating more prudently. I can walk to my boat to work on it but it most can't and that would likely be considered a non-essential task, like getting a tatoo and your nails done(they have to close).
We can still get out and walk and exercise animals. That's good. Our two terriers - though each 12 years old - don't even begin to stop pulling on the leash until you've walked well over a mile - and at a brisk pace.
Low tide is a good drag strip to burn off some amps:
Fishing IS essential. The end of March always signals that Fyke nets will be strewn around the harbor in the fresh water streams flow in. A typical fyke net below the walk bridge on Rockport Harbor. You can see it's set so that the catch, swimming upstream, will be trapped in the 'Cod End' , the last stop for anything that heads into the wide mouth.
What are they catching? Glass eels. Tiny, baby, translucent eels that were born way out in the Sargasso (Western Atlantic) that have the in born sense from their parents -who hatched them out there- to return to fresh water streams, into fresh water lakes to then grow into big brown eels. Then they will start the cycle again,...
Weird conditions though; while the market price for the little glass eels was $2000 per pound last season, I'm not sure what will happen this year.
The little eels are prized by the Asian market. Some of the small eels are eaten (expensive dinner!) but the majority are shipped overseas to be placed in aquaculture systems to raise them to large adults. The adult eels are a very popular product for the Asian restaurant industry.
I watched a woman adjusting her nets. Tricky work as setting, harvesting, maintaining, all takes place at low water. Ever tried carrying a 50 pound rock on slimy rocks to your Fyke net? The rig has to stand up to 11 feet of tide and spring outflow currents.
I think the season officially opens this coming Monday. The elvers aren't running yet. When they do, they'll be armed Fisheries people keeping an eye on everything. Licenses are on a lottery and with the high $$$ involved, bad things can happen,...This year, if a couple Elver fishermen get in a fist cuff (not unusual) they may even be fined for breaking social distance regulations, that start tomorrow. Seriously.