Public Fish Viewing Events
Ohio NFC hosting a public fish viewing event…
Background
NFC chapters are encouraged to host public fish viewing events. This is a great way to involve chapter board members in hands-on activities, as well as engage the public in regard to wild native fish. It is also a good way to establish partnerships with agencies and organizations.
Types of Events
Fish for public fish viewing events can be captured in the following manner:
Seining
Cast Nets
Electro-Fishing
Permits, Permissions, etc.
Many states require a Scientific Collections permit for this type of event. Even when they do not require a permit, it is a good idea to have a permit.
It is also important that you have landowner permission.
Be sure to check with the applicable state fish and game agency in regard to collecting fish for display
Be sure to check with the applicable landowner in regard to access and use of their property for this type of event.
Public Land
Federal
State
Private Land
Organizations
Individuals
A participant at a Massachusetts public fish viewing event seeing her first fish in the wild…
Safety and Liability
Chapters need to do everything possible to reduce the possibility of injury to board members, partners, and non-NFC attendees.
Proper Clothing and Footwear
Long Pants or Waders
Protects lower body from cuts, scratches, and related infections
Long Sleeve Shirts
Protects upper body from cuts, scratches, and related infections
Required: Hard-Bottom Shoes/Boots or Wading Boots
Protects feet from cuts, punctures, and related infections
No Crocs or Sandals
Liability Issue
Access to Water
Non-NFC attendees should be kept out of the water wherever possible
Bring the fish to people, don’t bring the people to the fish…
Required: No minors are allowed in the water unless accompanied by and under the immediate control of a parent or legal guardian
Water and Weather Conditions
Required: No public fish viewing event should be held during high-water periods
Required: No public fish viewing events should be held during inclement weather: Rain, hail, thunder and lighting, high wind, etc.
Miscellaneous
Required: No one should be allowed to participate in any way if they appear to be impaired due to alcohol or drugs
Required: People with notable handicaps must be accompanied by and under the immediate control of a parent, legal guardian, or professional assistant
Attendees at a Massachusetts NFC sponsored public fish viewing event…
Equipment
Equipment used in public fish viewing events should be selected based on need, cost effectiveness, and safety.
Five-gal Buckets for Holding and Transferring Fish
Dark colors help preserve fish coloration for viewing and photographing
Buckets with rope handles are easier to carry than those with metal handles
An integrated bottom handle helps return fish to the water
Portable battery operated aerators should be used whenever fish will be help in a bucket
Water should be replaced every ten minutes to keep it clean
This bucket addresses all of our needs and concerns…
Handheld Viewing Tanks
Required: Handheld viewing tanks should be made of acrylic not glass for safety and liability reasons
Tanks should be purchased in varying sizes to facilitate different age and species fish
Required: Edges should be rounded or sanded to remove sharp edges for safety and liability reasons
Viewing tanks should be wrapped in paper to lessen scratching
Tabletop Viewing Tanks
Required: Tabletop viewing tanks should be made of acrylic not glass for safety and liability reasons
Tanks should be purchased in varying sizes to facilitate different age and species fish
Required: Edges should be rounded to prevent cuts
Viewing tanks should be stored in boxes
Portable battery operated aerators should be used whenever fish will be help in a bucket
Water should be replaced every ten minutes to keep it clean
Tables should be strong enough to support the weight of the tanks
Use multiple tables if needed
Tabletop viewing tanks are a good way to show multiple fish or hold fish for a longer period of time…