Take care when out in the water!

Thursday 09 April 2020

With the current sunny weather, ormering tides and a bank holiday weekend on the way, the States have given further clarity on what open sea activities are allowed, while urging people to think carefully before getting involved.

Under lockdown restrictions, each person is entitled to two hours exercise each day, which can include walking, running, cycling, sea swimming or another open sea activity.

These activities can include recreational land fishing, as long as all safety precautions are taken. The person should avoid fishing with anyone outside of their household group and social distancing should be observed at all times.

The measures do not extend to recreational fishing from a boat, but commercial fishing is considered to be essential work.

Pictured: Commercial fishing is considered essential work (file image).

"Whilst I appreciate that it is frustrating that people cannot take part in activities that they normally enjoy, I urge islanders to listen to the advice to stay at home, only make essential journeys and not to put themselves and others in danger," said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink.

As open water activities can be dangerous at the best of times, people are being advised not to try any new sea sports at the moment.

Those with experience are being asked to take extreme care, to avoid any accidents, so the emergency services can focus their resources on the covid-19 crisis.

Similarly, while the States have confirmed that people can go ormering this week, Sea Fisheries is advising people not to try the activity for the first time during lockdown, to avoid any difficulties.

Pictured: Only those with experience should be out ormering (file image).

The island has strict regulations around the size of collected ormers and how they can be found, so Sea Fisheries Officers have an obligation to police ormering. While they are still doing so, the current restrictions make it more complicated and officers are asking that only people with experience go ormering.

It is advised that anyone taking part in open sea activities is accompanied by one member of their household for their own safety. If that's not possible, they can be joined by one other person, so long as social distancing is maintained at all times.