Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
24/07/2026 7:37 AM AWST
24/07/2026 7:37 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Manage and control fishing operations
Manage and control fishing operations
Unit of competency
National Code
SFIFISH402C
SFIFISH402C
State Code
D9232
D9232
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
29/02/2012
Field of Education
050799 - Fisheries Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
29/02/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit of competency involves ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and managing the crew and vessel during fishing operations. 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. Manage crew during fishing operations
- 1.1. Sufficient qualified and competent crew members are marshalled at the worksite prior to beginning operations.
- 1.2. Crew members are fully informed by clear, timely and accurate communication of their responsibilities at all stages of the fishing operation.
- 1.3. Activities are coordinated into a sequence that ensures safe and efficient operation.
- 1.4. Unsafe, environmentally hazardous or inefficient practices are identified and rectified.
- 1.5. Abnormal situations are recognised and crew is promptly and clearly instructed to minimise the danger to crew and vessel and the disruption to operations.
2. Control the vessel during fishing operations
- 2.1. Safety of the vessel and crew is maintained.
- 2.2. Vessel is orientated according to fishing operations, wind, sea and current to maximise safety.
- 2.3. Fishing operation is positioned to minimise interference with others.
- 2.4. Vessel speed is controlled according to fishing operations and prevailing weather and sea conditions at all stages of the operation to maximise safety.
- 2.5. Effects of abnormal situations on crew, environment and vessel safety and disruption to operations are minimised.
- 2.6. Vessel stability is maximised during all stages of the fishing operation.
3. Manage the compliance with regulations
- 3.1. Crew is managed to comply with all relevant regulations.
- 3.2. Catch reporting systems are used according to fisheries regulations.
- 3.3. Vessel monitoring systems are used according to fisheries regulations.
- 3.4. Advice is offered to develop industry policy, regulations and procedures.
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
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
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
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
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (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 the use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
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 organisms 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 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).
Crew may include:
deckhands
engineers
mates.
Communication may include:
hand signals
sound signals:
for shooting gear
hauling gear
lifting of load unsighted
verbal.
Abnormal situations may include:
abnormal loads
coming fast
emergency retrieval of gear
fouling of gear
lost gear
severe weather.
Safety may include:
within safe, navigable waters
within the limits of crew competence
within the limits of the vessel's size, power and condition
within the range of prevailing and anticipated weather conditions appropriate to the vessel.
Stability may be maximised by
controlling free surface
controlling water tight integrity
docking a vessel
freeing water from decks
lifting and distributing heavy weights
reserving freeboard.
Advice may include:
training crew members
raising and having input into issues with industry or government delegates
completing industry surveys
participating in port or commodity group meetings
participating in state, territory or national policy development meetings.
Industry policy, regulations and procedures may include:
enterprise policy and procedures
industry codes of practice
management enforcement policy and regulations
resource management policy
skills and qualifications development.
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
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
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
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
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (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 the use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
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 organisms 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 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).
Crew may include:
deckhands
engineers
mates.
Communication may include:
hand signals
sound signals:
for shooting gear
hauling gear
lifting of load unsighted
verbal.
Abnormal situations may include:
abnormal loads
coming fast
emergency retrieval of gear
fouling of gear
lost gear
severe weather.
Safety may include:
within safe, navigable waters
within the limits of crew competence
within the limits of the vessel's size, power and condition
within the range of prevailing and anticipated weather conditions appropriate to the vessel.
Stability may be maximised by
controlling free surface
controlling water tight integrity
docking a vessel
freeing water from decks
lifting and distributing heavy weights
reserving freeboard.
Advice may include:
training crew members
raising and having input into issues with industry or government delegates
completing industry surveys
participating in port or commodity group meetings
participating in state, territory or national policy development meetings.
Industry policy, regulations and procedures may include:
enterprise policy and procedures
industry codes of practice
management enforcement policy and regulations
resource management policy
skills and qualifications development.
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:
ensure compliance with relevant regulations and manage the crew and vessel during fishing operations
conduct a safe and efficient fishing operation under varying conditions and situations
deal with abnormal situations
coexist with other fishing operations.
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
relevant regulations
operating principles of gear common to the operational area.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.
Resources may include:
fully operational fishing vessel confronting a wide range of situations.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
logs of fishing operations
journal of reflections on responses to abnormal conditions
portfolio of management-related records, documents and reports.
Supplementary evidence can be gathered from:
third-party reports
minutes and meeting reports
interview.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with SFIFISH401C Locate fishing grounds and stocks of fish, and other units within a qualification.
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:
ensure compliance with relevant regulations and manage the crew and vessel during fishing operations
conduct a safe and efficient fishing operation under varying conditions and situations
deal with abnormal situations
coexist with other fishing operations.
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
relevant regulations
operating principles of gear common to the operational area.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.
Resources may include:
fully operational fishing vessel confronting a wide range of situations.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
logs of fishing operations
journal of reflections on responses to abnormal conditions
portfolio of management-related records, documents and reports.
Supplementary evidence can be gathered from:
third-party reports
minutes and meeting reports
interview.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with SFIFISH401C Locate fishing grounds and stocks of fish, and other units within a qualification.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4241 | SFIFISH402B | Manage and control fishing operations | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAR55 | SFIFSH306 | Manage and control fishing operations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W989 | SFI40211 | Certificate IV in Fishing Operations | Qualification |
| D629 | SFI50211 | Diploma of Fishing Operations | Qualification |
| W987 | SFI30211 | Certificate III in Fishing Operations | Qualification |
| AC467 | SFISS00004 | Fishing Operator Skill Set | Skill set |
| AC510 | SFISS00014 | Skipper Skill Set | Skill set |