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.

Health problems:
· pests and competitors
· predators
· diseases, infectious and non-infectious
· parasites.

Exotic pests, predators and diseases:
Includes any pest, predator or disease agents not present in the region that may have a severe economic impact on the aquaculture enterprise or regional industry sector.

Notifiable diseases:
According to State/Territory and Federal regulations or cooperative disease control programs.

Filter feeding stock:
· bivalves:
· mussels
· oysters
· clams
· scallops
· giant clams
· pearl oysters
· sponges
· tunicates
· "living rock", corals and other invertebrates.

Contamination:
· toxic algae
· viruses
· E. coli, other faecal coliforms and other bacteria
· chemicals and pollutants.

Routine prevention or treatments:
· bathing or dipping
· vaccinations or injections
· sprays or water treatments
· oral treatments (in feeds)
· environmental manipulation (such as salinity, shade)
· disinfectants (such as foot baths, tanks)
· fallowing of ponds, net sites
· removal of troublesome organisms
· selection of resistant phase or species
· filters, UV, ozone.

Therapeutic:
· registered agents/chemicals
· non-registered agents/chemicals
· with-holding periods for chemicals and medicines
· veterinary advice.

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:
· ecology and behaviour of pests and predators and disease agents or species
· vulnerability of culture species to pests, predators and diseases
· purpose of stock health programs
· welfare requirements of culture stock
· standard operating procedures (SOPs) used for disease control and prevention in culture stock
· characteristics of healthy culture stock
· legislation and regulations relating to animal and plant health care, uses of chemicals, food safety issues
· relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice
· legislation and regulations relating to shellfish sanitation and depuration program.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· diagnosing health problems in culture stock
· safely operating required tools and equipment in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements.

Literacy skills used for:
· developing and recording a yearly calendar of events to implement stock health
· developing and recording a daily routine for health control and disease prevention
· monitoring developments in fish health by accessing written and electronic media
· passing on instructions and SOPs to staff.

Numeracy skills used for:
· calculating medication and chemical requirements
· confirming appropriateness of dose rates calculated by supervisors or other junior staff.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· develop and use SOPs covering all aspects of stock health, and manage others involved in stock health activities
· choose between treatment or prevention options taking into account economic, regulatory, environmental and Occupational Health and Safety factors.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· costs of chemicals and other disease treatment or control methods
· regulations relating to use of chemicals and other disease treatments or control methods
· interaction between stock, the environment and disease agents in the development and treatment or control of disease.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· No recommendations.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· workplace project.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· functional aquaculture facility
· SOPs.