Indian River Lagoon -

- With all the concerns of boat ramp closures, please contact your port and/or county commissioners during this upcoming week.

I am not an epidemiologist by any means, but it is known that stress weakens your immune system. Fishing takes one’s mind off reality during this unstable and concerning time. I also know that multiple people in one house spreads germs much faster than getting outside, which is why most of us seem to get the common cold or influenza during cold winters. By no means do I want to worsen coronavirus by selfishness, but it seems like a poor decision to follow south Florida’s decision and shut down boat ramps.

Back to the solution, try to find time to contact some of the phone numbers and emails I provided below to urge that boat ramps remain open. This is especially critical if your livelihood depends on putting in at a local ramp. Civilly express how you just launch your boat and isolate. Also, act decent at the ramps to boost or reputation as anglers by keeping 6 ft from other boaters at the ramps, and please do not fish at the boat ramp dock.

Port commissioners do not seem to have emails. Please let me know if you find any. I will work on sorting out more specifics through this unstable time as soon as possible. You can call the commissioners at 321-783-7831 ext 160.

County commissioners: Rita Pritchett: D1.Commissioner@brevardfl.gov Bryan Lober: D2.Commissioner@brevardfl.gov John Tobia: D3.Commissioner@brevardfl.gov Curt Smith: D4.Commissioner@brevardfl.gov Kristine Isnardi: D5.Commissioner@brevardfl.gov

This is a rapidly escalating situation, and my stance my change if known facts change. I will also be looking into this matter periodically. I would give up boat ramps and fishing if it really did escalate COVID-19, but thus far fishing seems like a great solution given my current understanding.