Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:02 PM 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.

Seed and harvest round pearls

Seed and harvest round pearls

Unit of competency
National Code
SFIAQUA406C
State Code
D9151
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/07/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/02/2014
Field of Education
050701 - Aquaculture
Original Release Date
25/02/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency involves seeding of round pearls, caring of stock and subsequent harvesting of round pearls from a range of molluscs, particularly pearl oysters, freshwater mussels, abalone and conch. It covers interpreting instructions, selecting equipment and method of operation, data entry and analysis, supervising staff and conveying of information. 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. Plan for round pearl seeding
  • 1.1. Seedingschedule is read and confirmed with senior personnel.
  • 1.2. Labour and resource requirements for handling are determined and arranged.
  • 1.3. Factors which could place the health of stock at risk during seeding are identified and plans made to minimise risk.
  • 1.4. Operational guidelines to achieve desired handling objectives are planned and communicated effectively to staff.
2. Organise for round pearl seeding
  • 2.1. Equipment is collected and checked for serviceability.
  • 2.2. Repairs and calibrations are made to sub-standard equipment according to manufacturer instructions.
  • 2.3. Transport and holding arrangements are confirmed with contractors or internal staff as appropriate.
3. Carry out round pearl seeding
  • 3.1. Equipment, tools and nuclei are positioned and operated.
  • 3.2. Stock to be seeded are identified and retrieved as directed, and prepared with minimal stress and least risk of injury.
  • 3.3. Stock behaviour is anticipated and controlled.
  • 3.4. Pieces of mantle are prepared from sacrificial oyster.
  • 3.5. Stock are seeded with round pearl in a reasonable time and according to instructions.
  • 3.6. Stock are restocked in their intended culture structure in a reasonable time and allowed to recover and undergo a turning process.
4. Monitor round pearl growth and production and undertake harvesting
  • 4.1. Stock are X-rayed for nuclei retention and returned to culture structure in a reasonable time.
  • 4.2. Full pearls are removed from stock and stock re-seeded, if appropriate, before being returned to culture structure in a reasonable time.
  • 4.3. Seeding activities are supervised and monitored to ensure consistency with harvest schedule and operation guidelines.
  • 4.4. Work practices are monitored to ensure minimal stock stress and damage.
5. Review round pearl production
  • 5.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised and condition report prepared.
  • 5.2. Relevant round pearl production data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records checked.
  • 5.3. Compliance and other required reports prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of round pearl production, and recommendations made for improvements.
  • 5.4. Staff are given feedback on their work performance.
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
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
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
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
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (e.g. 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.
ESD principles may include:
controlling use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
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 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 emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
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
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
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).
Seeding may include:
insertion of a nucleus (a rounded bead made from a bivalve shell, generally Mississippi pig mussel or mother-of-pearl) into the gonadal or somatic tissue of the shellfish for round pearl production.
Seeding schedule may include:
cleaning
counting
insertion of nuclei
pegging
recovery
retrieval
turning (tento)
X-raying.
Labour requirements may include:
divers
handling workers
specialised operators
vessel operators.
Resource requirements may include:
seeding or harvesting and transport equipment
seeding or harvesting equipment, tools and nuclei
vessels, seeding or harvesting laboratory.
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:
seed and harvest round pearls to acceptable industry standards
supervise staff assisting in the process.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
seeding and harvesting techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:
seeding schedule
stock suitable for seeding
seeding laboratory, equipment, tools and nuclei.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
demonstration
practical exercises
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S4170 SFIAQUA406B Seed and harvest round pearls Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W988 SFI40111 Certificate IV in Aquaculture Qualification