SANA Certificate of Competence

SaNa courses

The FCVPA offers several SaNa certification courses a year for the Upper, Central and Lower Valais. Courses last five hours. They are led by qualified instructors.

Why do anglers have to prove their skills ?

With the entry into force on January 1, 2009 of the new Federal Ordinance on the Protection of Animals, anyone wishing to obtain authorization to catch fish and crayfish must prove that they are familiar with the law on the protection of animals in fishing and that they have sufficient knowledge of fisheries, particularly with regard to the killing of fish.

From 2015 onwards, new anglers will be required to take a 5-hour course, culminating in a knowledge test, to obtain a certificate of competence (SaNa certificate). This requirement also applies to anglers who practice this activity on a leased body of water (plan d’eau affermé).

Who in Valais doesn’t need a SaNa certificate of competence?

There is no training requirement for short-term fishing licenses (up to and including one month’s validity). When these fishing licenses are issued, anglers will receive an information leaflet drawn up by the Confederation. There is no training requirement for experienced fishers who hold a Swiss sport fishing licence. If they wish, they can order the SaNa attestation of competence from the training network. However, the next time they order a licence from the canton, they will have to send a copy of their SaNa card. Anglers who already hold a certificate of competence (SaNa), a cantonal certificate or a sport fishing certificate do not need a further certificate of competence. When ordering a licence for the first time, a copy of the relevant paper must be attached to the order.

Who needs a sport fishing licence (Brevet de pêche sportive) ?

Please note: The sport fishing license has been replaced by the extended SaNa. The certificate itself will no longer be offered. As the extended SaNa has been brought up to the same level as the licence, it is now recognized by all partners who previously required the licence as a prerequisite for issuing a fishing license.

Where will SaNa courses be held in Valais ?

The Fédération Cantonale Valaisanne des Pêcheurs Amateurs (FCVPA), in collaboration with the Service de la Chasse, de la Pêche et de la Faune (SCPF), is organizing the following courses:

Course content

Our SANA course includes the following sections:

• Legal bases (e.g. the law on animal protection), federal and cantonal in Valais
• Knowledge of fish, watercourses and water bodies
• Links between ecology, sustainable development and the practice of fishing
• Knowledge of equipment, knots, etc.

How can I register for a SANA course?

Preparation:

You need to study the material related to this SANA course. The book “Brevet suisse de la pêche sportive” contains all the material you need to pass the examination. You can order this manual on paper or as an electronic ‘pdf’ version by following this link (choose the option when ordering):

Ordering the Swiss Fishing Certificate manual

You will receive with the book or by e-mail the ‘Teaching material code’ which you must enter in the registration form. This code is required to register for the exam.

Exam registration :

Go to the SANA course and exam registration page and select the desired course date. Enter the course material code and complete the form. Click on the ‘Register’ button.

Once you’ve paid the CHF 30 exam fee, you’ll receive your SANA number. With this number, you will be definitively enrolled in our course. Please note that your SANA number will only become active once you have passed the final exam at the end of the course.

If you would like to receive your SaNa card in plastic format, please tick the corresponding box when you register.

Online exam:

Take your smartphone, tablet or laptop with you to take the online exam!

It will not be possible to take the exam on paper!

How much does the SaNa course cost? 

The participation fee for the SANA course in Valais is:

• 40 francs up to age 16
• 80 francs from age 16

This amount is collected directly during the course.

The 5-hour course includes both theory and practice. The specific knowledge required is taught by a trained FCVPA instructor. The course concludes with a knowledge test, which can only be taken online using your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

More information

Young fishers and beginners courses

FCVPA sections have long recognized the importance of offering training courses for novice fishers. For the sections, the primary aim is naturally to attract young people to the passion of fishing and win new members. In addition to training, these courses provide a popular platform for sections to present themselves to the general public.

Many sections in the Valais organize such courses. One such course is organized jointly by all the sections in the Upper Valais. During the course, young anglers receive a theoretical and practical introduction to sport fishing in the Valais.

The main topics covered are

• Equipment knowledge
• Knot-tying techniques
• Legal environment, permits
• Correct killing, gutting, filleting
• Fish species and how to handle them
• Fishing (Pool practice) Registration and information Brochure for young fishers