Derby
Crew Member
SFI CTAG - Tidal Angling Guide Certification - apply by end of March to be certified for this season!
SVOP and MBFA enrollment deadlines approaching!
Details below:
CTAG Challenge information
SVOP and MBFA classes - deadlines approaching!
Transport Canada Blue Decal Program - 2011
Why CTAG? - Advantages for guides and industry
CTAG is here!
CTAG is here. Formal recognition of your expertise is now available. As time marches on you will begin to see more and more promotion of the certification creating awareness and promoting sport fishing and the world class guides that operate in British Columbia.
If you would like to be certified before this season time is running down! Please submit applications for certification before the end of March.
Experienced guides can download a challenge application here, for more information and materials visit the SFI website, call 604.270.3439 or e-mail at ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca
Marine Basic First Aid (MBFA) need an update? Or need to finalize TC qualifications by acquiring the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) - see below regarding SFI organized SVOP and MBFA classes starting in March - enrollment deadlines fast approaching!
MBFA or SVOP - deadline for registration is approximately two weeks before each class!
In recognition of the approaching season, the continued need to satisfy Transport Canada requirements for legal operation and to participate in the CTAG program the SFI will be arranging Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) and Marine Basic First Aid (MBFA) classes based on demand. Class size must be a minimum of 14 and will be confirmed as soon as space has been filled. The price for the three (3) day SVOP course will be $395.00 plus taxes the two (2) day MBFA will be 159.00 plus taxes.
Current tentative dates are as follows:
SVOP
March
11 - 13 Vancouver - enrollment deadline February 25
14 - 16 Victoria - enrollment deadline March 1
22 - 24 Cassidy (near Nanaimo) - enrollment deadline March 3
April
18 - 20 Victoria
for SVOP
MBFA
March
26 - 27 Nanaimo - enrollment deadline March 3
28 - 29 Vancouver - enrollment deadline March 8
for MBFA
Based on demand we can arrange courses in locations along the coast but we would need to confirm a group of 12 to 16 and would have to adjust the per person price to reflect the additional travel expenses for the trainer.
Please contact Owen Bird at 604.875.0104 or by e-mail at ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca as soon as possible if you are interested in taking one of these courses. We will be seeking payment at time of enrolment to ensure the classes are full and costs can be kept to a minimum!
In addition, for those of you on the West Coast courses held by Seaworthy Maritime Services are available on the following dates:
24 - 30 March: Ucluelet - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
12 - 18 April: Tofino - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
15 - 21 May: Port Alberni - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
23 - 29 May: Ucluelet - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
Please contact Seaworthy directly at 250.726.5466 or through seaworthybc@gmail.com if you would like to enroll in any of these classes or dates.
Transport Canada - Small Vessel Manual Inspection Program - Blue Decal program
Guides and owner/operators are reminded that all small commercial vessels are required to be registered, commercially licensed, equipped and crewed according to regulation in order to legally operate in tidal waters. The Blue Decal program, the SMVIP, has replaced the yellow decal program and allows owner/operators to manually inspect and ensure that vessels are compliant according to Transport Canada regulations. IF you would like more information or materials regarding the Blue Decal program please e-mail ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca or call 604.270.3439.
Why CTAG? - Advantages for guides and industry
Advocacy and Accountability
Times have changed, the guiding community is required to have an increasing level of certification and is being closely watched by other sectors and government agencies. The Certified Tidal Angling Guide (CTAG) program was developed as a reaction to the increased requirements and higher level of scrutiny over recent years. With the creation of the CTAG program there is now a way to distinguish guides who are operating legally and according to a well-developed and industry-designed set of standards from those who are not. Recognition that CTAG's are professionals will provide our industry and individual guides opportunities for representation and promotion previously unavailable. CTAG, a provincial certification created by BC's tidal angling guide community and approved by the Industry Training Authority in late 2010, sets the bar for the best in the business and is the first and most comprehensive program of its kind in North America.
Setting Tidal Angling Guide standards allows for government, the public and other sectors to understand that our industry would like to have issues regarding service, safety and our resource in our hands. Creation of a growing group of identified CTAG's will allow our industry to defend against isolated incidents by confirming that well-developed industry leading standards are in place and that, in general, the industry is safe, customer service oriented, well trained and experienced.
Conservation issues can be addressed much more convincingly by our sector if it is understood that there is a large and growing group of CTAG's that is aware of the need for accurate and timely catch information. Without a good picture of catch by the recreational sector the ability to strive for consistent and dependable access will be increasingly difficult if not impossible.
Because the industry is so widespread geographically, it hasn't been possible to have the public, government or other sectors understand that there is a shared approach to safety, service and sustainable fisheries. As a group, CTAG will be able to respond to and be advised of relevant issues and potential changes to regulations.
Finally, Professional recognition with professional benefits!
Benefits
Promotional opportunity - over time the public will become informed of the differences between guides/recreational anglers and CTAG's. CTAG's are industry leaders in North America, experienced and operating to a high level of standards created by industry for industry.
Opportunity to clearly and easily communicate with employers - possession of the CTAG will clearly demonstrate that all formal requirements are in place. With more than just technical knowledge and the ability to operate equipment, the CTAG guide is knowledgeable regarding customer service, fish and our unique fishery.
Medical and Dental Benefit options available at better rates and, in many cases, for the first time visit the SFI ICBA website for more info.
Liability Insurance - marine underwriters are appraised of the CTAG program and have made adjustments and additions to coverage available for our industry.
Purchase advantage for guides and/or guests of guides - i.e. Delta Hotel discounts
Regular updates and one stop shop - for news, information and updates regarding the sport fishing industry and guiding in particular.
How do experienced guides get CTAG?
It's pretty easy - you've already done the work and have your certificates and experience under your belt. The CTAG is set up to be challenged by experienced guides with evidence of 750 hours of your guiding time along with the required TC and Industry Canada certification. There is a fee of $120.00 for the assessment and $50.00 for your SFI CTAG membership. Click here for information and a challenge application and here for a SFI CTAG membership brochure.
Are you inexperienced but hoping to get in to guiding?
There is a full TAG training program that will be available in the fall 2011. This will cover the necessary lifetime TC certificates and a guide training portion. Please be in touch with the SFI if you are interested in the full program.
For more information about the Certified Tidal Angling Guide program please visit the SFI or go2 website.
SVOP and MBFA enrollment deadlines approaching!
Details below:
CTAG Challenge information
SVOP and MBFA classes - deadlines approaching!
Transport Canada Blue Decal Program - 2011
Why CTAG? - Advantages for guides and industry
CTAG is here!
CTAG is here. Formal recognition of your expertise is now available. As time marches on you will begin to see more and more promotion of the certification creating awareness and promoting sport fishing and the world class guides that operate in British Columbia.
If you would like to be certified before this season time is running down! Please submit applications for certification before the end of March.
Experienced guides can download a challenge application here, for more information and materials visit the SFI website, call 604.270.3439 or e-mail at ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca
Marine Basic First Aid (MBFA) need an update? Or need to finalize TC qualifications by acquiring the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) - see below regarding SFI organized SVOP and MBFA classes starting in March - enrollment deadlines fast approaching!
MBFA or SVOP - deadline for registration is approximately two weeks before each class!
In recognition of the approaching season, the continued need to satisfy Transport Canada requirements for legal operation and to participate in the CTAG program the SFI will be arranging Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) and Marine Basic First Aid (MBFA) classes based on demand. Class size must be a minimum of 14 and will be confirmed as soon as space has been filled. The price for the three (3) day SVOP course will be $395.00 plus taxes the two (2) day MBFA will be 159.00 plus taxes.
Current tentative dates are as follows:
SVOP
March
11 - 13 Vancouver - enrollment deadline February 25
14 - 16 Victoria - enrollment deadline March 1
22 - 24 Cassidy (near Nanaimo) - enrollment deadline March 3
April
18 - 20 Victoria
for SVOP
MBFA
March
26 - 27 Nanaimo - enrollment deadline March 3
28 - 29 Vancouver - enrollment deadline March 8
for MBFA
Based on demand we can arrange courses in locations along the coast but we would need to confirm a group of 12 to 16 and would have to adjust the per person price to reflect the additional travel expenses for the trainer.
Please contact Owen Bird at 604.875.0104 or by e-mail at ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca as soon as possible if you are interested in taking one of these courses. We will be seeking payment at time of enrolment to ensure the classes are full and costs can be kept to a minimum!
In addition, for those of you on the West Coast courses held by Seaworthy Maritime Services are available on the following dates:
24 - 30 March: Ucluelet - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
12 - 18 April: Tofino - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
15 - 21 May: Port Alberni - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
23 - 29 May: Ucluelet - MED A3, SVOP, ROC-M, MBFA
Please contact Seaworthy directly at 250.726.5466 or through seaworthybc@gmail.com if you would like to enroll in any of these classes or dates.
Transport Canada - Small Vessel Manual Inspection Program - Blue Decal program
Guides and owner/operators are reminded that all small commercial vessels are required to be registered, commercially licensed, equipped and crewed according to regulation in order to legally operate in tidal waters. The Blue Decal program, the SMVIP, has replaced the yellow decal program and allows owner/operators to manually inspect and ensure that vessels are compliant according to Transport Canada regulations. IF you would like more information or materials regarding the Blue Decal program please e-mail ctag@sportfishing.bc.ca or call 604.270.3439.
Why CTAG? - Advantages for guides and industry
Advocacy and Accountability
Times have changed, the guiding community is required to have an increasing level of certification and is being closely watched by other sectors and government agencies. The Certified Tidal Angling Guide (CTAG) program was developed as a reaction to the increased requirements and higher level of scrutiny over recent years. With the creation of the CTAG program there is now a way to distinguish guides who are operating legally and according to a well-developed and industry-designed set of standards from those who are not. Recognition that CTAG's are professionals will provide our industry and individual guides opportunities for representation and promotion previously unavailable. CTAG, a provincial certification created by BC's tidal angling guide community and approved by the Industry Training Authority in late 2010, sets the bar for the best in the business and is the first and most comprehensive program of its kind in North America.
Setting Tidal Angling Guide standards allows for government, the public and other sectors to understand that our industry would like to have issues regarding service, safety and our resource in our hands. Creation of a growing group of identified CTAG's will allow our industry to defend against isolated incidents by confirming that well-developed industry leading standards are in place and that, in general, the industry is safe, customer service oriented, well trained and experienced.
Conservation issues can be addressed much more convincingly by our sector if it is understood that there is a large and growing group of CTAG's that is aware of the need for accurate and timely catch information. Without a good picture of catch by the recreational sector the ability to strive for consistent and dependable access will be increasingly difficult if not impossible.
Because the industry is so widespread geographically, it hasn't been possible to have the public, government or other sectors understand that there is a shared approach to safety, service and sustainable fisheries. As a group, CTAG will be able to respond to and be advised of relevant issues and potential changes to regulations.
Finally, Professional recognition with professional benefits!
Benefits
Promotional opportunity - over time the public will become informed of the differences between guides/recreational anglers and CTAG's. CTAG's are industry leaders in North America, experienced and operating to a high level of standards created by industry for industry.
Opportunity to clearly and easily communicate with employers - possession of the CTAG will clearly demonstrate that all formal requirements are in place. With more than just technical knowledge and the ability to operate equipment, the CTAG guide is knowledgeable regarding customer service, fish and our unique fishery.
Medical and Dental Benefit options available at better rates and, in many cases, for the first time visit the SFI ICBA website for more info.
Liability Insurance - marine underwriters are appraised of the CTAG program and have made adjustments and additions to coverage available for our industry.
Purchase advantage for guides and/or guests of guides - i.e. Delta Hotel discounts
Regular updates and one stop shop - for news, information and updates regarding the sport fishing industry and guiding in particular.
How do experienced guides get CTAG?
It's pretty easy - you've already done the work and have your certificates and experience under your belt. The CTAG is set up to be challenged by experienced guides with evidence of 750 hours of your guiding time along with the required TC and Industry Canada certification. There is a fee of $120.00 for the assessment and $50.00 for your SFI CTAG membership. Click here for information and a challenge application and here for a SFI CTAG membership brochure.
Are you inexperienced but hoping to get in to guiding?
There is a full TAG training program that will be available in the fall 2011. This will cover the necessary lifetime TC certificates and a guide training portion. Please be in touch with the SFI if you are interested in the full program.
For more information about the Certified Tidal Angling Guide program please visit the SFI or go2 website.
