Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Options:
· treat incoming or culture water:
temperature
salinity
pH
dissolved oxygen
hardness
turbidity
aeration
filtration
fertilisers and chemicals
· lower stock density or harvest stock
· change water flow rates, exchange water
· reduce feeding
· move stock or culture structure to new location
· remove wastes
· drain and dry out floor
· rake sediments.

Contingency plans:
· equipment failures or damage
· changing weather conditions
· stock mortalities
· pest, predator or disease infestations
· contaminants or pollutants
· power failure
· stock escapes.

Water treatment equipment:
· aerators, aspirators, airlifts
· pumps, siphons, blowers, fans
· ultraviolet or ozone sterilisation
· filtration
mechanical
biofilter
chemical
· pasteurisation
· activated carbon
· chlorine or other chemicals
· foam fractionator
· fertiliser or lime spreaders.

Repairs:
· cleaning or replacement of probes
· change of test chemicals and solutions
· replacement of cable.

Calibrations:
Adjustment of pH references, or other settings for calibration of electronic meters.

Stock:
· finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, miscellaneous aquatic invertebrates, microalgae, seaweeds, aquatic plants
· adults, larvae, seed, spat, broodstock, juveniles, hatchlings.

Basic water quality factors:
· dissolved oxygen
· hardness
· ammonia nitrites
· nitrate and other nitrogenous products
· carbon dioxide
· alkalinity
· temperature
· salinity or conductivity
· pH
· turbidity.

Environmental factors:
· climatic conditions (rainfall, amount of cloud cover, wind direction and speed)
· tidal or water flow direction and speed
· wave size and direction
· activity of pests and predators
· natural foods
· contaminants
· light.

Stock behaviour:
· feeding
· swimming
· piping, darting, flashing or whirling movement
· schooling or individuals
· colour changes
· aggression or cannibalism
· reproduction or courtship.

Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles:
· treating or disposing of waste water, reducing contaminants
· preventing escape of culture stock
· disposing of dead plant or animal matter
· disposal of chemicals and solutions.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· significance of basic water quality factors and environmental (weather) factors on stock health and well-being
· options for manipulating the culture environment
· water treatment equipment operating methods
· water treatment equipment maintenance and repairs
· effects of water and weather conditions on Occupational Health and Safety
· effects of farm wastes/effluent on environment
· basic water quality tests to be undertaken
· normal and abnormal stock behaviour
· SOPs for culture environment manipulation.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· operating and calibrating water treatment equipment
· providing verbal report to supervisor on operation irregularities
· recognising normal and gross abnormal stock behaviour.

Licences may be required if operating:
· vehicles
· load shifting equipment, including forklifts
· vessels.

Literacy skills used for:
· recording the contingency plans and water treatment options that were used
· reading and interpreting SOPs and equipment manufacturer's guidelines.

Numeracy skills used for:
· reading machines, meters or test kits when making adjustments to culture environment or calibrating equipment
· basic calculations used in altering culture environment.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· manipulate the environment within the stock culture structure according to supervisor instructions and enterprise procedures, and to ensure stock are reared in optimal conditions.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· water treatment equipment operation consistent with SOPs and manufacturer's guidelines
· water quality factors and environmental factors that can affect stock
· obvious signs of ill health or abnormal behaviour in stock
· calibrating, testing and monitoring procedures.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· SFIAQUA213B - Monitor stock and environmental conditions.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace while the activity is undertaken or in a simulated work environment. It is best assessed over a period of time so that adjustments are made in response to range of water quality and environmental factors typically impacting on aquaculture enterprises in the region.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· written or oral short-answer testing
· project work or practical exercises
· observation of practical demonstration.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· culture species environmental requirements and water quality factors
· culture structures with/in water containing stock
· water treatment equipment and enterprise procedures and manufacturer's guidelines for operation
· data sheets for recording information on adjustments to culture environments
· SOPs for manipulating stock culture environment.