By Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)
(Government)
Helping to build productive and resilient primary industries and grow our regions to help communities thrive.
Project implemented: 1 December 1994
Project goal
To raise the fishing community’s awareness and appreciation of the need to protect and preserve fisheries resources and their habitats for future generations.
Delivering on
Volunteering Strategy for SA focus area: 1, 2
UN Sustainable Development Goal: 12
Why this project is important
Fishcare Volunteers are a vital link between PIRSA Fisheries & Aquaculture and the fishing community, helping promote a positive relationship between recreational fishers and government.
The work of Fishcare volunteers is highly valued and rewarding. It includes educating recreational fishers about SA fishing rules and regulations in a clear and simple way, handing out fisheries information brochures and educational devices, and attending community events throughout the state.
Key steps to make it happen
PIRSA recognises strategic and meaningful volunteer involvement is crucial to meet the Fishcare Volunteer Program’s goals and objectives. The department undertook a review of volunteer management with a view of ensuring volunteers were supported by establishing consistent procedures and streamlining documentation.
The project also implemented changes, including online training and induction, registration and record keeping, as well as adopted new technologies to ensure efficient two-way communications with volunteer teams operating in more remote locations. For example, volunteers can log their own hours through the online system ‘Better Impact’. In addition, each vehicle is fitted with a tablet where hours can be logged. The tablets are also an essential tool allowing volunteers to show recreational fishers how to use the Recreational Fishing App.
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in planning, share their ideas in improving and developing new fisheries awareness activities, products, and provide input on how to deliver core messages and activities.
All volunteers are issued with clear identification as well as a distinctive hat, shirt, branded vehicles to promote the program and its opportunities, aided by the distribution of branded materials.
Impact to date
- increased respect for the environment and SA waters
- increased awareness of fisheries rules and regulations
- over 75 Fishcare volunteers working around South Australia to improve recreational fishing experience and help to keep our fisheries sustainable
- in the past 12 months, volunteers have attended 50 community events and shows, had conversations with close to 2,000 school students and 18,000 recreational fishers, and handed out close to 30,000 brochures on size, boat and bag limits.
Collaborating organisations
- n/a
About Primary Industries and Regions South Australia
Primary Industries and Regions SA is a key economic development agency in the government of South Australia. Its purpose is to grow primary industries and drive regional development.
Contact
Toni Manning, Fishcare Volunteer Coordinator
t: 8169 0118 e: Toni.Manning@sa.gov.au
