ASFB facilitate training as part of our on-going commitment to promoting best practice in fishery management and enforcement in Scotland. A number of accredited SVQ courses meet the training needs of our sector and are designed to ensure that all those involved in fishery management or enforcement are trained to operate at a high standard.
Bailiff Training
The District Boards have statutory powers to appoint water bailiffs to enforce salmon fisheries legislation in Scotland. Bailiff’s powers are extensive, and include powers of arrest, entry, seizure and search and are similar to the powers of constables.
It is therefore essential that prospective bailiffs fully understand the extent of their powers and the circumstances under which they may be used. For this reason, ASFB and the Institute of Fishery Management (Scottish Branch) have developed and actively promote a training programme designed for bailiffs in Scotland to ensure appropriate accredited training is provided before prospective bailiffs are formally appointed and can operate in the field. The key requirement is that candidates must complete and pass a written assessment prior to being appointed. On successful completion, candidates are awarded a formal certificate. ASFB, IFM and the DSFBs organise the annual Bailiffs Conference for bailiffs which allows the sharing of best practice and experience from around Scotland. Here, the candidate who achieves the highest pass mark in the annual examination is awarded the Roger Barnes Memorial Trophy. This award recognises the contribution to training development made by the late Roger Barnes, who worked with the Lochaber District Board.
ASFB have agreed a policy with its members to ensure that no bailiff should be appointed without having successfully completed the bailiff training programme. A copy of the policy can be viewed here. In the few areas where district boards have not been constituted, Scottish Ministers appoint water bailiffs, and the same requirement for training applies in these areas.
The training programme has been a resounding success and over 250 bailiffs have now successfully completed the course, and it is now recognised as the entry level training requirement for fisheries enforcement activity in Scotland.
The enrolment form for the training programme can be downloaded here.
Electrofishing and Habitat Surveying Protocols & Training
The Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre members have developed a number of protocols to ensure that data is collected to a high standard. Unlike other fish and habitat survey methods, those used by the SFCC have been developed specifically for fisheries management applications. By using common methods, fish and habitat data can be compared both locally and nationally across Scotland. Regular workshops are organised to allow members to review the methods that have been developed in the light of recent research.
In order to teach and maintain the required standards of surveys, the SFCC organises training courses in both electrofishing and habitat surveying. Electrofishing courses are run by either Inverness College or Barony College. Two courses are available: (1) Electrofishing Introductory Course (SVQ2); and (2) Electrofishing Team Leader Course (SVQ3). Pre-requisites for attending the Team Leader Course are successful completion of the Introductory Course and at least one season of practical electrofishing experience. Habitat surveying courses are run by Galloway Fisheries Trust.
Protocols can be viewed and downloaded from the SFCC Website.
Please contact Dr James Orpwood (j.orpwood@marlab.ac.uk) at the SFCC if you would like further information about any of the SFCC courses.
Lantra, in conjunction with ASFB, IFM and others in the sector have developed a comprehensive list of National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the fishery management industry in Scotland. These set out the typical roles within our sector and describe the skills and activities relevant to these roles.
NOS provide valuable information to employers such as the Boards, trusts and others to develop job descriptions, training and recruitment plans. They help to highlight what skills are missing in your organisation and find the most relevant training and learning you need.
Click HERE for more information.