The Assateague Mobile Sportfishermen’s Association‘s 9th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament scheduled for October 17, 2013 through October 19, 2013 is looking for a temporary home. The tournament is usually held on Assateague Island, but the federal government shutdown has closed the island along with all other National Parks.

Fortunately, Ocean City Mayor Richard W. (Rick) Meehan and the Ocean City City Council approved unanimously a last-minute request from the Association to use Ocean City beaches as a backup location for the tournament if the shutdown is not ended by Friday. They authorized the tournament to use the beach from the Delaware state line south. The tournament directors estimate that there will be 25 teams competing in the tournament. Each team is permitted two vehicles on the beach. Thus the tournament is expected to bring 50 vehicles to the beach over a twenty block stretch.

If the park closure is lifted by Friday, the tournament will be held on the federal side of Assateague Island.

If the tournament ends up being held in Ocean City–as it looks to be–it won’t be without complaint. Last week the the 34th Annual Mid-Atlantic Surf Fishing Tournament was held on the Ocean City beaches, and City Council received numerous complaints form residents and visitors staying in local condominiums. Because other events are also scheduled for Ocean City’s beaches this weekend, there are worries that the addition vehicles on the beach.

Mayor Meehan, in response to the request to move the tournament, said “I would hope the municipal government can act a little bit more responsibly than the federal government, and you have been basically thrown to our mercy here to maintain this event. This is an exception, not a rule, and a one-time request. It doesn’t mean we are out there trying to bring in more of these kinds of events. I think we are all in agreement the one we have is enough.”

FISH ON!

 

Assateague Mobile Sportfishermen's Association, fish, Fishing, Maryland, Tournament

By Sid

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