environmental
DESCRIPTION
From the Marine & Countryside Guide Certificate courseTRANSCRIPT
Mark.H.V.Corps
IFI Angling Advisor
Marine & Countryside Guiding
FETAC Level 6
Rules of conduct
List 10 rules you would
impart to your clients
Fishing Ethics
Ethics are an innate set of principles & practices that recognise respect & order in the human race. Most sports & outdoor activities have their own ethics & principles
• Supporting conservation efforts - supports local resource management to preserve fishing for generations to come
• Practice C&R – knows how / when to fight & release fish in a manner that gives the fish (especially little ones) a fighting chance at survival
• Appreciates the importance of a clean environment - a good angler avoids littering at all times
• Pollution kills fish
• The practice of proper recycling & trash disposal is crucial it prevents pollution & keeps our environment clean
• Practice safe angling & boating – understand / observes safe boating practices. An angler can have more fun knowing that everyone is safe. Safety should be the number one priority
• Follow Fishing & boating regulations Observe the rules / regulations implemented in the bodies of water to ensure safety & order
• Respect other anglers' rights – this means being courteous to others & not intruding other people's spaces. Anglers will have more fun fishing when they respect each other
EA - Golden Rules
• Angling benefits our environment in many ways. If you spend hours by the water, you learn to appreciate the natural world. This often leads to an interest in protecting it. But the places you fish are important for wildlife too
• Inexperience or a little carelessness with your gear can easily harm wildlife – and the good image of angling
• Always take your litter & equipment away with you
• Discarded nylon line is dangerous for birds & animals
• Take line home, burn / cut it into short lengths before disposing of
• Rigs get caught in vegetation, branches or other snags. If you can, remove caught rigs immediately, but don’t put yourself at risk
• If you can’t recover a rig / lose terminal tackle, tell the club bailiffs / fishery owner, they can arrange to remove it
• Use tackle that is the right size for the fish you are planning to catch
• Choose your swim with care
• Be careful not to disturb nesting birds
• Avoid places where people feed waterfowl
• Once you have set up your equipment for
angling, always stay with your rods. It is illegal
to leave setup rods unattended
• If you need to leave your swim, stop angling, gather together your lines /secure hooks to the rod
• Try to lose as little line as possible in the event of snagging. Use a hook length with a lower breaking strain line than the reel line
• Remember weaknesses occurs at knots where line is joined / tied to swivels / where shot are pinched onto the line
• Check line for signs of wear & damage. Remove damaged line
• Where possible, use barbless hooks or reduced barb hooks
• Lead weights are illegal in most sizes. Non-toxic weights are widely available & used whenever possible
• Help new anglers if you see beginners using unsuitable tackle
• If a swan, large bird / animal, is caught cut the line immediately. Never hold onto the line, as this may cause severe injury & distress. Report the incident to the Swan Sanctuary. Their hotline is 01932 240790
DRAFT
IFI Code of conduct
Angling Code - Freshwater
Principals of the code • Environment - all anglers should be actively
concerned with protecting the environment
• Conservation - angling & management of
fisheries, should be conducted so healthy fish
populations are maintained
• Behaviour - moderation, courtesy &
consideration for others are the marks of a
sporting angler
• The Sport - there is more to fishing than
catching fish
• Anglers are the watchdogs of the water &
environment
• Any sign of deterioration, poaching, pollution
or other areas of concern must be reported
immediately to IFI on the 24 hr hot line –
1890347424
• The report should include:
'What' - has been noted
'Where'- the occurrence was seen
'When' - the event was noticed
'The Extent' - of any pollution
• Anglers should take care to avoid damage to
the waterside or disturbance to wildlife. No
tackle / litter must be discarded. Anglers need
to be aware of the hazards to wildlife from
monofilament nylon
Fish • Anglers should familiarise themselves with
relevant legislation in relation to their target
fish
• Anglers should consider the sustainability of
stocks above their need to take fish
• Fish retained should be promptly & efficiently
despatched, others released as quickly as
possible
• Tackle should be appropriate to the target
species
• Fish should be played out quickly
• Fish handled only with wetted hands
• Kept in the water as far as possible
• Held facing upstream in running water /
upright in still water until they swim free
• Where 'Catch and Release' is practised
barbless / single hooks are recommended
• Do not move fish from one site to another
• Fishing Conduct - angling as a sport & recreation
is a fragile & personal experience, which can so
easily be disrupted by external interference
• Water space is in great demand from anglers &
other activities, therefore its enjoyment has to
be shared. The following should be observed by
anglers
• Ensure you have permission to fish; do you
have the appropriate licence & permits?
• Observe the bounds of any beat to which you
have been assigned
• Be prepared to give way after you have fished
a drift or pool & never fish too long in one
place
• Never crowd or obstruct an angler near you
on the bank or in a boat
• Avoid unnecessary wading
• Give consideration to anglers on the opposite
bank
• Make sure you can distinguish between
takeable & non takeable fish
• Where there are no bag limits, exercise
restraint in the number of fish taken
particularly when fish are easily caught
• 'Blank days' are part of the experience of
fishing
• Acknowledge considerate behaviour by other
legitimate water users
• Follow the Country Code
• Wear unobtrusive clothing & respect the
peace of the countryside
• Do not park vehicles so that they obstruct
gateways or cause a hazard on the road
• Support the organisations which safeguard
your sport
• Salmon & Sea Trout - all immature salmon &
sea trout (parr & smolts) must be returned to
the water, this also applies to kelts
• The law regarding 'unseasonable' fish
approaching spawning is less specific. Heavily
coloured fish, both cock & hen, are of no
culinary value & should be returned as quickly
as possible. The rule is 'If in doubt - return
immediately'
• Anglers are urged to keep only those fish that
they can personally use because overkill
endangers future sport
• Wild Brown Trout - a policy of restraint is
requested regarding the number of fish killed.
Never kill more than can be used and return
others carefully
Pike
• Are easily damaged if subjected to excessive
angling pressure / poor angling practice /
delayed striking / poor handling / unhooking.
Inexperienced anglers should seek help before
taking up pike fishing & purchase the correct
equipment. This should include
• Forceps (8 inch min)
Pliers
Unhooking mat
Health & Safety
You should
• Wear head & eye protection
• Look behind before casting
• Keep rods & lines away from overhead
electric power lines
• In an electric storm cease fishing, put the rod
down & move well away
• Wash hands before eating
• Carry a small first aid kit with plasters &
antiseptic cream
• Inform friends / family where you intend to
fish & what time you will return
• Consider carrying a charged mobile phone
• When wading in difficult conditions use a
wading stick & always have one foot firmly on
the riverbed
• Wear protective buoyancy aids wherever
appropriate & be familiar with the locations &
use of any other buoyancy or life saving
equipment provided by fishery owners
• Be prepared to help anyone in difficulty
Countryside Code
• Be safe - plan ahead & follow any signs
• Leave gates & property as you find them
• Protect plants & animals & take your litter home
• Keep dogs under close control
• Consider other people
• ‘Follow the Countryside Code wherever you go. You will get the best out of the countryside & help to maintain it now & for the future’
Respect - Protect – Enjoy
Questions?