Module 9

Stewardship & you

The future of recreational fishing worldwide rests in the hands of each and every angler.

Threats to our ability to enjoy quality fishing experiences lurk in social attitudes, environment and habitat, and even the number of fish in the water.

This module explores how you can take a leading role and influence change in your immediate circles and waterways.

Overview

There’s a point in every anglers journey when improvements become incremental. Some people plateau here, while others continue on a shallower learning curve. “Eureka” moments are naturally less frequent as you become more accomplished, but there’s always more to learn. This Module explores some less obvious skills and philosophies that will have a profound impact on your fishing experiences and success — both now and into the future.

Duration

15 hours 30 minutes

Testing

  • Uploaded practical assessment tasks (written and video)
  • Assessment by randomised quiz
  • Reflective worksheet upload
  • Short online survey

Resources

You will need a fresh printout of your Reflective Worksheet. If you have not kept a copy on your computer, you can download a new one here.

Download Your resources now

You will need:

  • your device
  • a digital video camera, if your phone does have one built in
  • equipment and tools suited to your role-play video (fishing skill of your choosing)
  • headphones
    (if preferred)
  • access to a printer
  • blank paper
  • a pen, pencil, or texta

MODULE CONTRIBUTORS

Taylah Kirk & Cassie Price

OzFish Unlimited

Jo Starling

FOUNDER, Women’s Recreational Fishing League

Thanks to OzFish Unlimited for their invaluable support on this module.

Thanks to OzFish Unlimited for their invaluable support on this module.

This module is strengthened by the expertise of OzFish Unlimited.

welcome to module 9

Introduction

units of study

Here’s what you will learn

Mentoring mastery

Learn too effectively transfer knowledge and skills to others through demonstration, simple language, and patient mentorship. Principles taught in this unit are drawn from best-practice adult training methods.

Recreational fishing’s Code of Practice

The Recreational Fishing Code of Practice is a living document developed by the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation and designed to empower you to make responsible decisions in the pursuit of your recreational fishing passion. This unit runs you through the document and discusses easy implementation in your everyday fishing.

Habitat health checks — recognising healthy fish habitats and spotting issues

Recreational fishers are perfectly placed to be the eyes and ears of our waterways. Healthy habitats ensure quality fish stocks and therefore better fishing experiences. This unit helps you develop and understanding of what constitutes a healthy aquatic habitat, what are the fundamental threats and risks to the health of our waterways, and develops your ability to recognise signs of habitat issues.

How to be a habitat hero — taking action

Building upon your previous study, this unit goes on to empower you with the action steps you should take to protect and/or instrigate habitat rescue and rehabilitation, when needed.

Citizen science readiness

Participating in citizen science projects is a sure way to develop your feeling of connection to your waterway, and contribute to the future of recreational fishing. It’s not always as easy as “just rocking up” though. This unit explores the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to be truly valuable as a participant in citizen science projects.

Clean custodianship — tackling fishing litter

Marine and aquatic debris and litter is a hot and often emotive topic. Here, we investigate the problem and ways to minimise our personal contribution through recreational fishing behaviour modification and broader influence.

Championing our sport — understanding the principles of sustainable fishing competitions

What separates a sustainable fishing competition from an unsustainable one? Discover the simple but imperative differences and the owned principles and ethics you can adopt to drive change where and when it’s needed.

BEGIN

resources

Self-Reflection Worksheet

Download Worksheet

Additional Research Material

Recreational Fishing Code of Conduct

For the best experience with this course, we recommend using the Google Chrome browser. Click here to download.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & GRATITUDE

This course is supported by funding from the FRDC (Project ID 2022/033) on behalf of the Australian Government.

For more information on the full team behind this project, please click here.

The Women’s Recreational Fishing League acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live, work and fish on across Australia.
We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.