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) Export Control (Fish) orders and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
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:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
reducing use of non-renewable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering
hard hat and 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 or overalls
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
Disease may include:
causes of impairment of health or a condition resulting in abnormal functioning of cultured or held stock
environmental causes, such as poor water quality or contaminants (e.g. chemicals)
nutritional (e.g. feed contaminants, quality and quantity)
viruses, protozoans, bacteria, fungi, worms, parasites, toxins of biological origin (e.g. toxic algae).
Control and treatment may include:
appropriate nutritional program and additional vitamins
biological control (e.g. cleaner fish)
chemical barriers (e.g. foot baths)
deprivation or purging
disinfection of equipment
freshwater, saltwater or chemical baths
filtration, ozonation or water treatment
medication in food
probiotics and other chemicals (e.g. pesticides, herbicides and algaecides)
prophylactic treatments of probiotics
provide cover, hides, shelters and habitat
reduce stress
replace susceptible species/variety with resistant species/variety
vaccination or inoculation:
medicated feeds
syringes, drippers and other application equipment
water quality optimisation.
Behavioural traits may include:
entry and exit into cultured or holding structures
infection pathways
seasonal activity
size or age of stock affected.
Potential effects may include:
increased stress
mortalities
reduced breeding
reduced feeding
reduced growth rates
transfer of disease or pathogens.
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.
Wastes may include:
biohazard wastes (e.g. moribund animals, hormones and chemicals)
from control or treatment activities
nutrient-rich water and sediments
uneaten food and settled solids.
Mortalities may include:
cultured or held stock
diseases and other organisms.
Disposed of may mean :
as a biohazard
loose or packaged
off site
on site.

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 ability to:
assist with the control and treatment of disease
recognise and report actual and potential disease problems.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
behavioural traits of problem species
techniques for disease control.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should cover the range of diseases typically found in the region.

Resources may include:
culture or holding structures with/in water containing stock and threatened by actual and/or potential disease
data sheet for recording observations and actions
work procedures for treatment and control of diseases
treatments and equipment for treating/preventing diseases.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
demonstration
practical exercises
project work
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.