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Issue No 16 December 2002 Do you wish to receive the next issue of WILDTIMES? WILDCARE members are reminded that future newsletters can only be forwarded if your 2003 membership is renewed before 31 December 2002 — so don’t miss out! Merry Christmas and a Happy 2003 from the WILDCARE Board of Management! Fishcare Volunteers Program The Fishcare Volunteers (FCVs) are part of an overall Fishcare program that was established using Natural Heritage Trust and Recreational Licensing Trust • Assistance with research on funding. Fishcare is now a branch recreational fishing including of WILDCARE Inc, which is an potential projects on fish survival. incorporated community group • Assistance with creel surveys on that supports the operation of scale fish and rock lobster. community volunteers throughout •Providing feedback on the state. Once fully trained, Fishcare environmental issues. Training is Volunteers are issued with a provided to identify common distinctive uniform that must only be marine pest species and investigate worn when on official Fishcare WILDTIMES fish kills. business. They are also issued with • Assistance with events such as pamphlets detailing rules and Take a Kid Fishing days and regulations, facts sheets and stickers. AGFEST. Experience has shown that each FCV All FCVs undergo a formal interview brings many skills to the program and a police check before they are and it is endeavored to utilise and accepted into the program. They are develop these skills not only for the Training days. required to have completed a two day benefit of the program, but also for training course before beginning the benefit of the volunteer. Specific Fishcare Volunteers Program has work in the field and their first few training is provided to selected been operating in Tasmania since patrols are accompanied by a more volunteers who show a desire to 1998 and currently there are 65 fully experienced volunteer acting in a assist with a particular project. Incorporated trained and operational Fishcare ‘mentoring’ capacity. An honorary volunteers working Statewide in both role is provided to potential freshwater and marine environments. candidates that are awaiting training The program is currently undergoing and are willing to play a support role IN THIS ISSUE a restructure that will establish to a trained FCV. regional chapters in the South, North • WILDCARE Wildlife and Northwest. Rescue Groups WILDCARE Training formed Fishcare Volunteers (FCV) are an All incoming FCVs undergo an important part of fisheries education intensive two day training course • Wild writing program aimed at promoting which covers: breakthrough responsible fishing behavior. Some •Fisheries rules and regulations key roles of the volunteers are: • Mountain Festival • Fish identification and biology •Fisheries patrols in a non- wins Community Link • Conflict resolution Newsletter of Section,Community Partnership Management and Resource Division,Conservation DPIWE GPO Box 44 Hobart 7001 03 6224 0884 E-mail:Ph 03 6233 2836 Fax [email protected] compliance role delivering Award •Structure of Department information about Fisheries • Plant identikit regulations this involves talking •Volunteer rights and with fishers and collecting data responsibilities • Kate Reed reserve about their fishing. • Marine environment (care of • Karst CARe in Kubla habitats) • Delivery of a school education Kahn program on responsible fishing • Introduced marine pests practice and marine issues. • Interviewing skills 2 speak to fishers about their days is to ensure no potential conflict fishing. They may handout material situations occur (e.g. a FCV such as current rules and regulations, inadvertently patrols into a police safe boating practices or fact sheets on surveillance situation). specific fish species. If faced with illegal fish activity, After their patrol a Volunteer FCVs are instructed not to act in a completes a Patrol Report Form, policing role. They make a decision at which is sent to the Department. This the time, dependent on the situation, Manning the fishing pool at AGFEST. form includes information on whether to: location, number of interviews, type a)Approach the offenders and educate Ongoing training is provided regularly of fishing, species caught and any regarding the current rules and in addition to informal meetings. issues raised (e.g. undersized fish, regulations and implications of These are usually half-day sessions illegal netting, exceeding bag limit or illegal activity (e.g. “hey mate, do that provide a forum for the sharing of fishing in closed areas). This you realize that fish is too small?”) information on current issues. information is routinely entered on a or show them a ruler (promotional Contact with volunteers is maintained database and extracted for item with fish sizes) and advise of regularly to ensure communication management who can to get a clearer the penalties; links are maintained and any queries picture of what is happening around are addressed. A small resource the State. library and a computer with Internet When undertaking patrols the FCV access are located in the Hobart office notifies the department who in turn and volunteer usage is encouraged. A notifies the marine police. This is so quarterly newsletter is also produced that they are aware of Volunteer’s providing feedback and general presence in a particular area. The fisheries information to the Volunteers get to know the marine volunteers. police working in their local area and foster a good relationship with them. Educating the public. Patrols A representative of the marine police The most common patrol for a will usually attend training sessions. b)Walk away and advise marine police Fishcare Volunteer to undertake is a Whilst the FCVs do not act in a or ask the department to advise the trip to a fishing spot or point of compliance capacity, they do work police. entry/exit (e.g. boat ramp) where they closely with the marine police — this Whilst on patrol a volunteer uses his or her own vehicle. Volunteers receive no financial remuneration for the work that they do and are not reimbursed for Parks Shop fuel costs. The FCV may have a mobile phone issued to them if there is a perceived 24 Main Road Huonville need (i.e. safety issue or working in remote areas). • Range of pre-visit Ph: 03 6264 8460 information relating to Schools project Tasmania’s National This is an educational project where Parks & Reserves interested FCVs are specifically • Parks Passes trained during a two-day course at the • Maps Marine Studies Center at Woodbridge. This is a certified course that a FCV • Books – Adult and must pass to enable them to give Children’s Range school presentations. The course • Australian Animal evaluates the communication ability Puppets and personality traits of the person • Jigsaws – when placed in front of a real time 24 to 2000 piece, class delivery exercise. If suitable and including Southwest pass they may then address a class as National Park a teachers aide or conduct a • Souvenirs interpretation excursion to the seaside or particular fishing spot where • Clothing – fleecy relevant Fishcare messages can be jackets, vests, ponchos, delivered. 10% discount raincoats, t shirts to WILDCARE members • Posters Take a Kid Fishing Days during December 2002 • And more This is a widely promoted activity day solely designed to teach children the WILDTIMES December 2002 WILDTIMES 3 December 2002 fun of ethical fishing. In the past the and are considered approachable by Fishcare Volunteers have been involved the general community. In fact, Snug Falls assisting with this message delivery to FCVs have reported improvements the children and general discussion in fisher behaviour in areas where track with the parents. Similar events have they regularly work. They act as a working bee also been run for disabled people. go-between for the community, Sunday 12 January 2003, police and other areas of the Fish kills Department. 9:00am–4:00pm. Meet at the Snug Falls car park. Selected volunteers are given •Volunteers are strongly encouraged specialised training to enable them to to have ownership of the program. Works include drainage, respond to fish kills in their local area. pruning, minor track For more information on how resurfacing. Tools and WILDCARE members can be part of this Introduced marine pests exciting program, contact — Damian equipment to be supplied A number of volunteers are trained to Heran, Fisheries Education Officer, Wild by PWS. Bring food and identify introduced marine pests and Fisheries Management Branch, DPIWE on drink, and sturdy work 03 6233 3053 or email <Damian.Heran@ provide assistance with eradication boots. Contact Paul dpiwe.tas.gov.au>. programs including the northern Dimmick, Ranger PWS Pacific Seastar. Don’t forget to register your interest with Hounville, on 03 6264 the WILDCARE Office as well (email 8465 or email <Paul. Other support activities <[email protected]> or phone [email protected]. This may include assistance with 03 6233 2836) and we will update your manning the Fishcare trailers around membership record for future information CALLau>. UP NOTICE the State at events such as AGFEST on Fishcare. and agricultural shows and Inland Fisheries open days. Wildlife Product Discount Research Interested Fishcare Volunteers are trained to assist with specific research for Carers of projects, including: •Creel survey: FCVs conduct a short survey of fishers at selected fishing Orphaned/Injured locations around the State. Basic fisheries’ data is collected including length frequency measurements of Animals catch. • Rock lobster Project; FCVs will WILDCARE members can now get a 7.5% help researchers from the discount off every product contained in Department of Sea Fisheries on Cartledge Agency’s “ Wildlife” catalogue. basic recreational catch statistics and some data collection. All members need to do is quote their WILDCARE membership number when placing General an order. • FCVs generally devote a minimum of 4 hours per month to the Stock is available and supplied from the program, with many giving much following companies: Healthy Bird, more time than this.