Electrofishing: Theory, Safety And Application Certification

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Overview | Agenda | Schedule | Registration | Course Objectives | Certification and Evaluation | Prerequisites | Personal Equipment requirements | Course fees | Credit Options | Re-certification | Arranging a delivery in your community

Overview:

This 2-day certification course is an introduction to electrofishing theory, safety and practices. The program meets current Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) requirements for certification.  Emphasis is on safety but the theory and practice of backpack electrofishing is also reviewed.

Agenda:

Day One is a classroom lecture-based session, while Day Two is a field-based practicum in which participants are provided with an opportunity to operate the backpack electrofisher and apply skills and knowledge gained during the classroom time.

Day One (Classroom)

 

Day Two (Field/Evaluation)

Introductions/Overview/Background	Field Practicum - Group One
EF Regulations & Electrical Theory	Knowledge Evaluation - Group One
Electrofishing Equipment	Field Practicum - Group Two
Setting the electrofisher unit	Knowledge Evaluation - Group Two
Electrofishing Safety
Electrofishing Procedure
Impact Considerations

Note: High course enrolment (e.g., >18) may warrant additional field practicum sessions.

Course Schedule:

Course schedule information is available here.

Registration:

Registration information is available here.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this two-day course, the participant will be able to:

• Define the practice of "electrofishing".
• Define the electrical (operational) theory of an electrofishing unit.
• Identify and operate all components of an electrofisher.
• Adjust electrofisher settings to capture fish effectively.
• Manage an electrical field in an electrofishing operation.
• Operate an electrofisher unit to reduce potential injuries to fish and other animals.
• Describe and practice safe wading procedures.
• Respond appropriately to a potentially dangerous electrofishing incident.
• Conduct a safe and efficient electrofishing session.

Certification and Evaluation:

This training course offers two levels of certification for Backpack Electrofishing Only.  The two levels of certification are:

• Crew Member and
• Crew Supervisor.

Crew Member and Crew Supervisor levels of certification are determined by:

• Course grade obtained on the Knowledge Evaluation,
• Participant's level of competency in the field. 

Summary of Necessary Requirements
1. Crew Supervisor	Score 95% or more on Knowledge Evaluation (written exam only) Be competent in the field, as evaluated by instructor (See note below)
2. Crew Member	Score between 80% and 95%, on Knowledge Evaluation (written or oral) Be competent in the field, as evaluated by instructor
No Certification	Score less than 80% on Knowledge Evaluation and/or not be competent in the field, as evaluated by instructor 'Incomplete' status on any part of the course

Note:   Participants may also be certified as a "Crew Member By Request" if their 'Knowledge Evaluation' and 'field competency' results meet those of the Crew Supervisor requirements but they do not feel comfortable with the responsibilities of supervising a crew at the time of this certification course. These participants may then upgrade to the Crew Supervisor level at a later date by contacting the Coordinator (ph. 250-740-6377).

The Knowledge Evaluation is normally conducted after the field session, which most commonly occurs on the second day of the course.  Crew Members must answer questions 1-20 whereas Crew Supervisors must answer questions 1-25.  All participants must obtain at least 80% on questions 1 through 20 (i.e., at least 16 out of 20).  In addition, participants wishing to obtain the Crew Supervisor level of certification must obtain at least 95% on the whole exam (i.e., at least 23.75 out of 25).

Prerequisites:

Mandatory first aid training courses for all persons involved in electrofishing operations in BC are an appropriate first aid course having a CPR component.

First Aid training is mandatory (must be current and valid) to the certification associated with this course, and must be successfully completed prior to engaging in (actual) field work (employment). Although recommended to be in-place prior to this course, First Aid training may be completed following completion of this Electrofishing course. This requirement may change per province, and all course participants are advised to contact their provincial Workers' Compensation Board office for further details.

"Safety Consultants" and "Safety Training Companies" offer first aid courses, as listed in the Yellow Pages. Please note: it is the responsibility of the course participant to ensure that their first aid training is recognized by the applicable WCB agency.

Personal Equipment Requirements:

Participants are responsible for providing their own personal safety equipment and classroom supplies (pen or pencil and paper, course manual is provided). Each of the items listed below are mandatory equipment items that are required for electrofishing operations (during actual field work/employment). Please note that you are only required to supply leak-free chest waders during this training course. With that said, it is ideal if you bring all items for the training.

Personal field equipment:

• "leak-free" chest waders (recommended type is neoprene or high-quality nylon);
• non-slip footwear (felt wading shoe or boot, as well as stream wading cleat);
• wading belt,? (nylon or rubber acceptable, worn on outside of waders);
• polarized sunglasses (side shields or ‘wrap around’ style is/are recommended)
• hat with a visor (e.g., baseball cap style).

Vancouver Island University staff will provide all field and classroom-related supplies and equipment, including; course manuals, electrofisher unit(s) and accessories, dipnets, linesman gloves, and associated field equipment.

Course Fees:

Course fees will vary by location. Please also refer to the course schedule, or phone 250-740-6492 or email us nrep@viu.ca for further information.

Credit Options:

Successful completion of the Electrofishing Certification course will serve as credit towards completion of the Fisheries Field Technician Certificate Program, and First Nations Fisheries Technologist Diploma Program.

Re-certification:

The re-certification process as previously established by the Ministry of Environment (every 3 years), has been reviewed and modified by WCB. The WCB still requires that all persons involved in EF operations (i.e., EF operator, netter, bucket handler) attend and complete a course acceptable to Board. Their current position on re-certification (as of March 2002) is as follows:

1. Recertification is now NOT 'officially' required although it is still strongly recommended. The course provided by Vancouver Island University recommends that EF practitioners take a refresher course every 4 years. There are a wide range of changes that occur over a period of 4 years including, but not limited to:
• New guidelines for safe EF operation in relation to people
• New guidelines for safe EF operation in relation to fish and other organisms
• New information on the potential negative impacts of electrofishing on fish and other organisms
• Changes in regulations governing EF practitioners, as set by fisheries regulatory agencies
• Changes in requirements for electrical safety certification of EF units
• New EF machine manufacturers and models
• New safety features for EF machines
  
  
2. WCB now places this responsibility of 'staying current' and being safety oriented, entirely and directly with the employer. Regardless of whether or not someone's past EF certification is consider 'valid' or 'expired (based upon the date on their Certification Report), the WCB now requires that all employers, and representatives of the employer (i.e., Crew Supervisors), ensure the maintenance of EF operator competence. They must also be able to demonstrate, with supporting 'dated' documentation, how this has been accomplished.
   
   
3. This should, as a minimum, include regular (and documented) EF safety review meetings (i.e., annual, monthly and trip-specific, including 'tailgate', reviews). The review process should re-familiarize 'certified' EF operators with the EF Safe Work Procedures and EF unit safety features. It should also include checking to ensure that all equipment is safe and in proper working order. It is recommended that employers have employees authorize their attendance at these meetings by signing a form which indicates the sort of information that has been reviewed. Records of these meetings should be kept in a central and easily accessible location in case of any enquiries by safety personnel (internal or external) as part of a routine check or in the case of an accident investigation.

For further information, please contact the Coordinator.

Arranging a Delivery in Your Community:

Groups and/or individuals wishing to set-up a delivery of this course in their community can do so by contacting:
Darren Hebert, NREP Coordinator
Phone: 250-740-6377
Email: hebertd@viu.ca

It is recommended that groups consider the following: 

• Recruit and ensure course participants (minimum of 10-12 required);
• Complete a contractual agreement to finalize delivery particulars.
• Recruit and ensure sufficient number of course participants.
• Apply for and retain a fish collection permit for 2-3 accessible streams.
• Coordinate and arrange classroom facilities (appropriate seating, lighting, heating, as well as an overhead projector and chalkboard or whiteboard).