go2 and the Sport Fishing Institute (SFI) of BC are pleased to announce the launch of BC's new Tidal Angling Guide (TAG) certification program.
The made-in-BC program is the first of its kind in North America. Experienced guides currently working in the sport fishing industry can now obtain a provincially-recognized certification of proficiency and professionalism. "The TAG certification program is something that our industry will benefit from for reasons of safety, service and opportunity for promotion," according to John McCulloch, vice president, operations for Langara Fishing Adventures. "We look forward to hiring certified guides and to encouraging our existing staff to go through the training."
Experienced guide and TAG assessor Mandy Wesley, one of the first to earn her certification, fully endorses the program. "It covers all things that guides should know. No matter how much experience you have, you can benefit from the specific knowledge, particularly related to stewardship."
Over the past three years, the SFI and go2 have been working to develop best practices, standards, assessment tools, and a comprehensive training curriculum for saltwater fishing guides in partnership with the Industry Training Authority, federal and provincial agencies, First Nations and representatives from across the sport fishing industry.
TAG certification is supported by the BC Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada.
The new program is also expected to improve existing and new recreational catch monitoring and data collection programs, which will assist Fisheries and Oceans in managing fisheries and enhance the long term sustainability of the sport fishing industry.
A certified industry will also enable the SFI and the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment to promote sport fishing in BC as distinct from other destinations that do not have the same high standard of training, knowledge and professionalism among its guides.
For more information on the TAG certification program and how you can participate, contact go2 at mpriddy@go2hr.ca.
For more information on the assessment and how to apply, please review the Challenger Information Kit.
For complete information about the occupation and the skills required to challenge, please review the Occupational Performance Standards.
If you have decided you are ready to apply to challenge, please download and complete the Challenge Application Package.
