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:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
correct marketing names and labelling
ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
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)
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 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).
Information may include:
afforded protection to a species
behavioural characteristics
breeding habits
define circumstances under which an animal may be euthanised
defined reportable incidents
describe of allowable interventions
ecological threats
feeding habits
habitat
legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and state and territory fisheries and environment Acts, and any subsequent regulations
life cycle
mobility and range or migration movements
position in food chain
sources of food
vulnerability to interaction.
Protected species is considered to be:
any vertebrate species that has some level of protection afforded through state, territory, commonwealth or international law, including finfish and sharks, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, marine birds, listed migratory birds and species listed by the Commonwealth government through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
threatened and endangered species.
Operation refers to:
aquaculture either on land or in water
commercial fishing
ornamental, display or live holding operations.
Information may be obtained from:
AquaFin Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Australian Seafood CRC
Catchment Management Boards
fisheries compliance agencies
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Marine Stewardship Council
Oceanwatch, Landcare and related organisations
Seafood Services Australia
specialists, such as fauna ecologists and marine ecologists
state and territory seafood industry councils
state, territory and federal environment and wildlife agencies.
Strategies may include:
alternative barrier techniques or materials
alternative fishing gear technology
alternative fishing techniques
avoiding known habitats
considering the characteristics of the identified species (e.g. breeding period, life cycle, feeding habits and habitat) when scheduling fishing or aquaculture operations
using by-catch reduction devices.
Interventions may include:
assisting animals that may have been injured through means unrelated to professional fishing
euthanasia where an animal is not recovering as expected
first aid, including resuscitation
release from device or entanglement
relocation of animal
removal of material, such as fish hook, netting or plastic, which may entangle species
rescue and rehabilitation.

Note: Any interventions must comply with legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and state and territory fisheries and environment Acts, and any subsequent regulations. In some states and territories it is illegal to kill threatened, endangered and protected species, even when injured, without the approval of appropriate authorities.
OHS hazards relating to personnel may include:
entanglement with nets or other fishing gear
manual handling of large, moving animals
other potentially dangerous animals in local area
vessels or vehicles moving through the area
uncontrolled movement and defensive action of trapped or restrained animals
use of firearms
vessel propeller and any other appendages or attachment
water, including depth, temperature, current, tide and wave actions.
Resources and equipment may include:
first aid materials
fishing technology gear, including by-catch reduction devices
gear for retrieving and removing an animal, such as rods, snips, nets and baskets
means for euthanising or sedating an animal.

Note: Use of immobilising or anaesthetic agents is controlled under state and territory legislation. Refer to relevant authorities for registration requirements.
Enterprise procedures may address:
decision-making process for determining appropriate intervention for a range of interaction events anticipated in the location of the operation
fishing techniques that minimise interactions
handling negative and positive media publicity associated with an interaction or intervention event
humane euthanising of injured animals and disposal of carcasses
process of continuous improvement for strategies, interventions and enterprise procedures
recording, reporting and referring information about interactions and interventions.
Agreed procedures may include:
by-laws and statutory rules
company procedures
federal, state and territory Acts
publications and guides on interaction with protected species, for example, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 'A guide for commercial fishers - Looking after Protected Species in Queensland'.
Criteria for a successful outcome may include:
compliance with catchment and/or whole of industry codes of conduct or limitations, and state and territory fisheries and environment Acts
potential for success in restoring the animal's wellbeing
safety and security of crew
security and safety of equipment
security and wellbeing of aquacultured stock.
Legislative authorities may include:
state and territory fisheries and environment agencies.
Data may include:
numbers in the range statement
sex
size.
Relevant organisations may include:
industry associations and state government agencies
legislative authorities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
management committees responsible for industry-based management plans, such as environmental management systems.

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:
apply strategies to prevent or minimise the impact of interactions
evaluate and select intervention options to restore the wellbeing of an animal.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
legislation that affords protection to a species
requirement to intervene to restore the wellbeing of an animal, and to prevent or minimise the impact of interactions with endangered, threatened or protected species.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:
appropriate enterprise procedures and workplace personnel
operational environment or simulation that closely resembles an actual workplace
relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:

work diary
photographs and journal
enterprise records and referrals to fisheries and environment agencies
case studies, simulation or drill.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.