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:
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including 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 stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter
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, 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).
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.
Benefits may include:
environmental, which may result from:
better control of water quality variables within acceptable range
less contaminants
multi-purpose facilities, such as polyculture, aquaponics and hydroponics
reduced waste to remove or treat
reduced expenses, which may result from:
improved food conversion in stock
less manipulation of water quality variables or stock culture or holding structures
less waste to be treated or removed
more efficient energy use
reduced labour requirement for feeding activities.
Stock condition may include:
colour
fullness
general appearance
maturation condition
meat yield
shape
size
weight.
Range of conditions may include:
disease or parasite infestation
feeding history
life cycle phase
pest activity
predator activity
seasonal influences
stock density
time of day
water flow or water management practices
water quality characteristics
weather, climate.
Approach may include:
augmentation (fertilisation) of culture water to increase food levels
feed delivery and feeding behaviour
provision of formulated or supplementary feeds
provision of live or cultured feeds
selection of sites for extensive (natural) feeding.
Stock culture or holding environment may include:
closed (recirculation) systems
open
semi-closed.
Stock testing may include:
condition factor
dissections
food conversion ratios
general appearance
growth rates
nutritional profile of carcass or meat
on site or off site
proximate analysis of carcass, meat and yield.
Remedial action may include adjustments to:
feed delivery
feed scheduling
ingredients or formulations
stocking densities
water management practices.

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:
develop a cost-effective stock nutrition program for cultured or held stock that takes into account the stock nutritional requirements under a range of conditions, the enterprise production plan and ESD principles.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
feeding strategy
feed delivery methods
feeding behaviour
feed preparation
macro and micro-elements
nutrient cycling
nutriment deficiency or toxicity symptoms
nutritional requirements of specific stock
nutriment uptake by stock
relationship between water characteristics and nutrient availability to stock
sources of stock nutriments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. To assess a stock nutrition program as cost-effective and meeting stock requirements under a range of conditions, the assessment period should be over at least one (1) full production cycle.

Resources may include:
research material relating to stock nutrition.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
case study analysis
practical exercises
project (work or scenario based)
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.