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.

Fish:
Fin fish, crustaceans, molluscs, marine mammals, plants, aquatic reptiles, amphibians.

Regulated limits:
· legislation may be State/Territory or Commonwealth
· bag or boat limits
· length-minimum or maximum
· closed areas
· time of year
· season
· protected species
· quota fisheries.

Fish catching devices:
· nets (hand, dab, hoop, drop, mesh, hauling)
· pots (yabbie)
· traps (shrimp, rock lobster)
· buoys
· spear, bow and arrow
· rod and line
· rake (crab, cockle)
· dredge (mussel)
· teasers.

Regulated limits, procedures, registration and licence conditions:
· maximum number
· location used
· mesh size-minimum and maximum
· positioning of nets relative to other nets, other features
· gear dimensions
· combination and number of devices used
· tagging of gear:
· owner name and address
· tag dimensions
· buoys:
· volume
· colour relevant to species
· presence of device owner during designated times
· registration of nets/catching devices
· use of teaser lines
· use of berley
· possession of measuring devices
· the cleaning, scaling and gutting of fish
· sale/trade from recreational catch.

Legislation:
Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation related to fisheries and fisheries management.

Fisheries:
Natural fishing resource of a specific species in a given management area.

Market documentation:
· catch
· disposal
· business.

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:
· legislation and regulations retaining to the commercial and recreational fishing industry
· regulations relating to fish catches, net/fish catching devices, fishing methods and other related equipment for species being checked for compliance in the operative area
· regulations applying to fish processors
· regulations applying to fisheries quotas
· identifying features of fishing species relevant to the region
· fishing methods utilised by fishers in the region.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· recognising fish species using taxonomic keys
· measuring fish and fish catches for legal compliance
· recognising fishing technologies used.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading and interpreting legislation and regulations
· recording information related to compliance monitoring.

Numeracy skills used for:
· counting, measuring fish and/or fishing devices
· basic auditing skills.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm ability to:
· monitor compliance of commercial and recreational fishers and fish processors, and to recognise fish species and types of nets/fish catching devices and methods used in the region in which compliance is likely to be monitored.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· compliance regulations that apply to fisheries, fish processors and fish species in the region in which compliance is likely to be monitored.

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:
· written or oral short answer testing
· practical exercises
· project work
· observation of practical demonstration.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· copies of legislation and regulations
· measuring devices
· fish species likely to be monitored for compliance
· nets and fish catching devices and other equipment related to fish catching likely to be monitored for compliance.