Description

Certify with the highly respected and industry leader in backpack electrofishing through the NRTG Electrofishing Certification course.

In this course, you will first complete our online self-paced training, which gives you a solid understanding of ElectroFishing theory and practices. You will also attend a hands-on field session where you will gain direct field experience: wearing and operating a backpack electrofishing unit while also participating as dip netters and sampling crew. This course offers three levels of certification: ‘Crew Supervisor’, ‘Crew Supervisor-in-Training’ and ‘Crew Member’. Each level of certification is determined by a participant’s: 1) level of competency during the field session, and grade on the course Knowledge Evaluation that you write at the end of your field session day.

This course is approved by WorkSafeBC (British Columbia), and endorsed by workplace safety agencies across Canada.

Study Guide PDF Download

Please download this Study Guide, complete during the course, and bring to the field session.

Study Guide

Objectives

Define electrofishing certification, standards and the practice of electrofishing
Contrast and define the levels and responsibilities of Electrofishing Certification
Identify mandatory and applicable Electrofishing standards and regulations
Manage resistance, voltage and power in an electrofishing system
Define and contrast electrical pulse types and electrical fields in water
Contrast the types of electrofishing units, and their components, features, limitations and capabilities
Identify mandatory and optional personal protective gear
Identify backpack electrofisher safety features
Maintain and troubleshoot backpack electrofishers and associated field gear
Interpret site conditions and adjust electrofishing settings to maximize catch efficiency
Calculate appropriate electrofisher settings
Identify best strategies to maximize catch efficiency while minimizing impacts
Manage electrofisher power appropriately and effectively
Identify key electrofishing safety procedures
Respond effectively to an electrofishing-related field incident
Conduct standard emergency response procedures
Define crew size and structure
Identify key factors influencing electrofishing in the field
Identify and determine crew roles and responsibilities
Conduct equipment checkout procedure(s) prior to beginning a field session
Identify key fish habitats and best strategies to capture fish as a team
Respond appropriately to potentially dangerous scenarios
Communicate effectively with field crews and the general public
Identify types of electrofishing field programs
Identify and minimize fish impacts
Practice safe and efficient fish sampling and handling

This Course Includes

Electrofishing Certification (accredited by WorkSafeBC)
Free, lifetime access

Equipment

Caution: Please ensure your wading equipment is free of Invasives and Whirling disease.

Participants are required to bring their own equipment to the field session:

Chest waders
Non-slip footwear (felt, cleat or aggressive rubber sole)
Lineman gloves
Wading belt
Polarized sunglasses
Hat with a brim (e.g., ball cap)

Check out our FAQs on equipment.

Field Session Prerequisites

First Aid Course, Level One, containing a CPR component. Please consult with the applicable WorkSafe or safety regulatory agency, as First Aid requirements may vary by province or country. (Note: First aid training may be completed prior to or after this training program, and must be successfully completed prior to participating in actual electrofishing field work.)
Completion of the ElectroFishing Online Self-Paced Training. Please note that this online training must be completed before attending the field session. If you have not completed the online training by 5 days prior to the field session start date, you will automatically be deregistered from the field session, and your tuition fee will be held and can be applied to another course.