Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:34 PM AWST

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Develop stock production plan

Develop stock production plan

Unit of competency
National Code
SFIAQUA509B
State Code
D9164
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/07/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/02/2012
Field of Education
080321 - Farm Management And Agribusiness
Original Release Date
27/02/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency involves developing a stock production plan for an aquaculture or ornamental enterprise following a detailed analysis of requirements. The plan is to incorporate all relevant stages of facility operations, including labour, equipment and transport requirements. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine requirements
  • 1.1. Cultured or held stock production targets for each stage or component of the enterprise are established consistent with marketing, business plans and sustainable aquaculture practices policy.
  • 1.2. Suitability of water resources for stock is assessed.
  • 1.3. Current information on government regulationsrelevant to farm ownership/possession and farm production is obtained and action taken, or policies and procedures developed, to ensure compliance.
  • 1.4. Production facilities are assessed for appropriate type, condition, location and size/number to achieve production plans targets or arrangements made to bring them up to required standard.
  • 1.5. Mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of specialised contract services, is researched and introduced
  • 1.6. Labour and equipment requirements are determined.
  • 1.7. Handling, harvesting and on-farm transport requirements are determined for each age, sex or category of stock.
2. Develop plan
  • 2.1. Production plan is developed incorporating previously identified requirements.
  • 2.2. Plan incorporates a calendar of operations for each enterprise production cycle.
  • 2.3. Schedules are drawn up for timing of purchase and use of inputs and services used in production.
  • 2.4. On-farm and off-farm processing and off-farm transport programs are developed for each stock category.
  • 2.5. Environmental controls and security arrangements are established, as required.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices:
commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices
consumer law
corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting
disability policies and practices
equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment
industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and share of catch agreements
jurisdictional variations
superannuation
taxation
trade practices
warnings and dismissals
worker's compensation
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including:
Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
international treaties and agreements
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations:
foreign and Australian legislation applying to quarantine and customs
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978)
Marine Emergency Response Search and Rescue (MERSAR)
National Standards for Commercial Vessels
pollution prevention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code
use of vessels, right of way and other marine orders, bunkering and refuelling
land, buildings and vehicles:
buildings and structures design and appearance, constructions and additions
poaching, trespass and theft
road laws for use of motor vehicles, bikes, trucks and other transport equipment
soil and water management
use of chemicals and biological agents
use of firearms and powerheads
use of utilities, including water, natural gas, electricity and sewage
water or land lease, tenure or ownership and use
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (e.g. country of origin, Australian Fish Names Standard and eco-labelling)
correct quantities, sizes and other customer requirements
third-party certification (e.g. Australian Grown and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems).
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:
Australian Shellfish Sanitation program
display, packaging and sale of food, including seafood and aquatic products
equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance
exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders
handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products
HACCP, food safety program, and other risk minimisation and quality assurance systems
location, construction and servicing of seafood premises
people, product and place hygiene and sanitation requirements
Primary Products Standard and the Australian Seafood Standard (voluntary)
processing, further processing and preparation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
product labelling, tracing and recall
receipt, storage and transportation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
requirements set out in Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Food Standards Code and state and territory food regulations
temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.
ESD principles may include:
controlling use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
managing imported products quarantine and inspection, facility biosecurity, translocation of livestock and genetic material, and health certification
managing stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter
managing sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection requirements, such as size limits, quotas, season restrictions, population dynamics, fishing impacts, reducing by-catch, fisheries management strategies and maintaining biodiversity
managing, controlling and treating effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
planning environmental and resource efficiency improvements
preventing genetically modified and live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
reducing disturbances to soils, erosion and surface water flows from machinery use and other activities
reducing energy use and introducing alternative energy sources.
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering
hard hat or protective head covering
hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
insulated protective clothing for freezers or chillers and refrigeration units
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
protective hair, beard and boot covers
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
respirator or face mask
safety harness
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Cultured or held stock may include:
adults, broodstock (ready to breed), seedstock or stockers, eggs and sperm, fertilised eggs, larvae, post-larvae, seed, spat, hatchlings, yearlings, juveniles, fry, fingerlings, yearlings, smolt, sporophytes, seedlings and tissue cultures
finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, polychaete and oligochaete worms, plankton, micro-algae, seaweed, aquatic plants, live rock, sponges and other aquatic invertebrates
for human consumption (seafood), stockers for other farms, stockers for conservation or recreational fishing, display or companion animals (ornamentals), and other products, including pearls, skins, shells, eggs, chemicals and pigments
wild caught, hatchery or nursery reared.
Stage or component of the enterprise may include:
broodstock collection and maturation
display or holding
hatchery production or seed stock collection
nursery culture
on-farm post-harvest or processing
on growing and grow out
single or multiple species (e.g. polyculture and integrated culture).
Government regulations relating to farm ownership/possession may include:
aquacultural tenancy, ornamental permits or leases
lease arrangements and requirements (contract growing)
rights, responsibilities and limitations relating to farm ownership or possession (lease)
stock permits/licences.
Government regulations relating to farm production may include:
baseline study and environmental monitoring
control of predators, pests and diseases
handling, transport, storage and use of chemicals
licensing of vehicles and vessels
notification of notifiable diseases
OHS requirements
product quality and food safety
provision of relevant data for authorities
registration of firearms
transport of broodstock and seedstock
use of exotic species.
Production facilities may include:
air supplies, oxygen or gases
backup equipment (e.g. water, air and power supplies)
culture or holding structures
electricity, gas or power supplies
feeding equipment
lease markers, fences and gateways, laneways, tracks and roads
predator or pest exclusion
processing, grading and storage sheds
waste treatment and disposal
water storage, supply, treatment and disposal systems
water quality.
Equipment requirements may include:
cleaning equipment
graders, counters, scales and measuring equipment
harvesting equipment:
fish pump
nets, cages, traps and scoops
remote operated video or still camera
swim way
PPE:
anaesthetics or restraints for dangerous animals
transport equipment:
bags
baskets
buckets, pails and tanks
oxygen supply
water treatment equipment:
aerators
filters
flow regulators
sterilisers, including ultraviolet (UV) and ozone
temperature control
waste collection or disposal.
Inputs and services may include:
biofoulants and other pest treatments
chemicals for parasite and disease prevention and control
culture or holding infrastructure and associated materials
employed labour, contractors and share farmers
energy (e.g. fuel, gas and electricity)
feeds
harvesting and production equipment and supplies
seedstock and broodstock
water.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
accurately determine labour, equipment and other requirements for each stage of operation
produce a profitable and sustainable stock production plan for an aquaculture enterprise which is ecologically, biologically and financially sustainable.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
aquaculture production
basic business skills to analyse financial performance of the production plan.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. To assess a plan's profitability and sustainability, evidence should be gathered over a period of time which allows for at least one (1) full production cycle.

Resources may include:
marketing or business plan
sustainable aquaculture policies
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
project (work or scenario based)
case studies
written or oral questions.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S4181 SFIAQUA509A Develop stock production plan Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAS11 SFIAQU509 Develop stock production plan Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W990 SFI50111 Diploma of Aquaculture Qualification