Elements and Performance Criteria

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 are followed including:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
correct marketing names and labelling
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
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
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
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE).
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
reducing energy use
improving energy efficiency
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
Scientific quantities may include:
conversion factors of species
mean, median and mode
measurements to support specific research projects
ratios
total counts, fractions, decimals, percentages and proportions
trends.
Methods of analyses may include:
comparative
deductive
inductive
root cause
statistical.
Possible cause and effect issues may include:
changed fishing practices, such as into wind, across wind and depth
equipment faults and calibration errors
environmental and ecological influences
equipment reading errors and faulty measuring and sampling techniques
fishing equipment and techniques
fishing pressure and effort
interaction with seals, turtles and dolphins and other protected species
sea bird abundance.
Appropriate formats may include:
charts
databases
graphs
journals
logbooks
spreadsheets
tables
work sheets
written reports and memos.
Communication channels may include:
email
journals and logs
radio
routine oral and written briefings
satellite telephone
special written reports on unusual occurrences
SMS and ext
website, blogs, Twitter and other web-based media
written reports and memos.

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 analyse data from onboard observations and to draw reasonable conclusions about the impact of fishing on the resource, the ecosystem and the wider environment.

Assessment must confirm the ability to:
apply basic statistical analyses to raw data
follow relevant plans, procedures and protocols
perform relevant calculations and analyses of data and samples collected
present results in formats suitable for scientific and management purposes
recognise non-standard samples and observations and assess possible causes and effects
report findings that identify and provide possible explanations for unusual observations.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
analytical techniques
basic statistical analyses
biological sampling techniques and other data collection methodologies
fisheries and environmental management strategies
fisheries research methodologies and the use of scientific data
the Australian fishing industry, including major species, fishing methods and equipment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:
relevant documentation, such as:
data collection and sampling plans
observation procedures and protocols
recording and reporting forms.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
examples of records and reports prepared by the candidate to illustrate analytical and reasoning capability
practical exercises involving the analysis of sets of data and samples to identify trends and likely impacts on resources
third-party reports, including reports from cruise crew members, fisheries managers and scientists
written or oral short-answer questions to assess underpinning knowledge.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units in the Observer Skill Set:
SFIOBSV301B Monitor and record fishing operations
SFIOBSV302B Collect reliable scientific data and samples
SFIOBSV303B Collect routine fishery management data.