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 may include:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Fish) orders and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
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
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
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.
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
reducing use of non-renewable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality
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)
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 outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
respirator or face mask
safety harness
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms or overalls
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Predators and pests may include:
airborne
amphibians, teleosts, reptiles, birds, elasmobranch and mammals
competitors for food, space, shelter and oxygen
fouling organisms
human (e.g. poachers)
plants (weeds), seaweed and micro-algae
starfish, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and other invertebrates
terrestrial
water based.
Behavioural traits may include:
day or night time activity
entry and exit into culture or holding structures
feeding or attack methods
location and hunting methods
size of prey targeted
solitary or groups.
Potential effects may include:
increased avoidance activity
increased stress
loss/escape of stock
mortalities
reduced breeding
reduced feeding
reduced growth rates
transfer of disease or pathogens.
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.
Control structures and equipment may include:
acoustic deterrents (e.g. gas gun, electronic, firecrackers and firearms)
biological control (e.g. cleaner fish, predator species, dogs and geese)
electrical wires and fences
exclusion nets, cages, netting and fences
firearms and powerheads
floodlights
human activity
overflow barriers, screens on inlets and outlets
poisons and chemicals (e.g. pesticides, herbicides and anti-foulants)
shelters and habitat
tin and fibro fences
traps
turbidity
visual deterrents (e.g. scarecrows).
Basic repairs and maintenance may include:
mending screens, nets and fencing
replacing broken or unserviceable traps, shelters, habitats, scarecrows and lights.
Wastes may include:
biohazard wastes (e.g. moribund animals, hormones and chemicals)
from predator and pest control structures
nutrient-rich water and sediments
uneaten food and settled solids.
Mortalities may include
cultured or held stock
predators, pests and other organisms.
Disposal may include:
biohazards
loose or packaged
off site
on site.

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 ability to:
assist with the construction or erection, and maintenance of predator and pest control structures and equipment
recognise and report actual and potential predator and pest problems.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
behavioural traits of problem species
construction or erection, and maintenance techniques for predator and pest control mechanisms.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should cover the range of pests, predators and diseases typically found in the region.

Resources may include:
a range of pest and predator control mechanisms
culture or holding structures with/in water containing stock and threatened by actual and/or potential pests and predators
data sheet for recording observations and actions
work procedures for treatment and control of predators and pests.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
demonstration
practical exercises
project work
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.