Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide or lead participants on day or overnight fishing trips. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to safely guide groups on fishing trips on lakes and or rivers in coastal and or offshore conditions.

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to fishing guides who are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating fishing trips in controlled environments for groups of participants.

This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

Prerequisite units 

• SISOFSH201A Catch and handle fish
• SISOFSH202A Select, catch and use bait
• SISOFSH203A Select, rig and use terminal tackle
• SISOFSH204A Select, use and maintain fishing tackle outfits
• SISOFSH206A Locate and attract fish

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan fishing trip.

1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants .

1.2. Develop a trip plan  according to participant's needs, type of fishing , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Select an appropriate fishing location for the trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives , relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards  associated with the type of fishing and minimise risks  to ensure safety of participants.

1.5. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  to determine trip plan.

1.6. Determine food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and contextual issues  of the trip.

1.7. Obtain permits or permission for access where required, and inform appropriate authorities before commencing the fishing trip.

2. Select equipment for the group.

2.1. Select fishing equipment  according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.

2.2. Rig and adjust equipment and ensure suitability to the participant and location.

2.3. Check safety and first aid equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the location.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the fishing trip in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Outline logistical details and safety procedures  for the trip.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use throughout trip.

3.4. Demonstrate correct fishing techniques according to the type of fishing and location.

3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.

4. Lead fishing trip.

4.1. Evaluate conditions and provide direction and advice to group during the trip.

4.2. Demonstrate techniques, where required, to safely and efficiently negotiate features of the fishing environment.

4.3. Monitor individual and group progress and provide appropriate feedback throughout.

4.4. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.

4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors  that are monitored.

4.6. Respond to any emergency or non routine situation, according to organisational policies and procedures.

5. Complete post trip responsibilities.

5.1. Notify relevant authority of trip completion.

5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects  of fishing trip.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future fishing trips.

5.5. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan fishing trips that meet their needs
• convey information about the safety and logistical aspects of trips
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan fishing trips according to participant's needs and abilities
• make decisions about potential hazards that may affect trips
• modify aspects of trips according to all variable factors and non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate equipment and suitable fishing locations
• organise participants into manageable groups for fishing

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce plans for fishing trips
• complete post trip participant and self evaluations

• first aid, rescue and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe and legal conduct of all activities
• minimal impact codes to ensure protection of environment and fish species
• site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area
• equipment characteristics and technology used for specific types of fishing, and factors affecting appropriate selection, use and maintenance to enable safe conduct of all activities
• methods and techniques used to catch and handle various species of fish
• fish species available within specific aquatic habitats
• hazards and risks associated with various types of fishing to adequately prepare group
• sources of weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their effect on the trip
• principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the fishing trip
• first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
• applies effective modifications and contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during fishing trips
• encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure guiding of groups on multiple fishing trips in fishing locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• suitable fishing locations to guide participants
• participants to take part in fishing trips
• a range of oceanic, offshore, fly, estuarine and freshwater fishing tackle and equipment
• resources and information regarding participants and fishing site to plan, guide and document fishing trips for a variety of participants.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observation of planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all fishing activities throughout trip
• observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
• review of fishing trip plans
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.

Guidance information for assessment 

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Condition of participants  may include:

• previous fishing experience
• physical capabilities
• age
• injuries and illnesses.

Plan  may include:

• aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• guide and participant ratios
• risk and contingency management plans.

Type of fishing  may include:

• fly
• freshwater
• oceanic
• estuary
• beach and rock
• charter in and off-shore.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• use, maintenance and storage of fishing equipment
• manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use
• procedures for handling dangerous fish
• procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water
• communication protocols
• risk management procedures
• time and budget constraints
• confidentiality of participant information
• code of ethics.

Trip objectives  may include:

• self improvement
• meeting people
• catching various species of fish
• adventure and recreation.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards
• slippery or unstable shore
• poor posture, poor technique
• poor carrying techniques
• loose or insecure craft when being transported.
• other craft.

Risks  may include:

• hypothermia
• hyperthermia
• injuries
• exhaustion
• dehydration.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguard
• volunteer marine rescue
• local knowledge

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• river levels
• synoptic charts
• high and low tide predictions.

Food and water requirements  may include:

• menu planning and preparation
• range of foods.

Principles of nutrition  may include:

• food groups
• dietary guidelines
• food preparation
• individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including tide times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Equipment  may include:

• fishing equipment
• navigation equipment
• safety and rescue equipment

Relevant information  may include:

• minimal environmental impact practices
• fishing techniques
• logistical details
• responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures  may include:

• use of first aid, safety and rescue equipment
• symptoms, treatment and prevention of common fishing incidents or risks
• guide or participant ratios
• contingency and risk management
• establishing safe areas or boundaries, if applicable.

Variable factors  may include:

• change of weather and conditions
• equipment failure
• available fish species.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• assessment technique
• group feedback
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector 

Outdoor Recreation

Co-requisite units 

Competency field