Many fishing related events originally scheduled in the tristate region for April have been forced to cancel or postpone due to restrictions in place to stem the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Just prior to printing of the April edition of The Fisherman, several event organizers contacted us (info@thefisherman.com) to notify us of updates.
Larger events cancelled or suspended for the month of April include the Wildwood Fishing & Boating Expo originally scheduled for April 4-5; the 20th annual Trout Contest for Kids at Spring Lake presented by the Shark River Surf Anglers on New Jersey’s trout opener; and the 23rd Annual Fund Raising Banquet and Auction previously slated for April 24.
As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is strongly encouraging event organizers to prepare for the possibility of outbreaks in their communities. Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events can help protect you and the health of your event participants and the local community.
Organizers should continually assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the number of attendees (if possible) for mass gatherings.
For those in charge of scheduling events for your fishing club or local business, it’s best to consult with state and local municipalities, while also reviewing federal CDC recommendations for group events at www.cdc.gov.