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.

Stock health issues:
· parasites (endo and ecto)
· fungi
· viruses
· bacteria
· worms (polychaetes, nemerteans)
· symbionts
· predators
· pollutants
· pest or competitor organisms.

Management options:
· bath treatments (chemicals)
· cull stock
· oral treatment (therapeutics)
· injections (therapeutics, vaccines)
· biological control (cleaner fish) and probiotics
· resistant phase/species
· environmental manipulation
· barrier control, such as quarantine, disinfection
· exclusion, such as filters, UV, ozone.

Monitoring methods:
· behaviour (visual)-swimming, feeding, crawling, gaping
· physical external or internal appearance
· weight gain
· feeding activity, FCR
· laboratory (gill smears, blood parameters).

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:
· strategic aspects of managing stock health
· management of pests, predators and diseases
· planning treatment strategies
· plant and animal physiology.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· undertaking a health analysis on stock
· using a microscope.

Literacy skills used for:
· monitoring literature (written or electronic), regulations and economic data
· communicating with owners, head office and other external stakeholders.

Numeracy skills used for:
· calculating cost benefit of various treatment/prevention options
· interpreting monitoring data.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· identify issues and activities critical to the management and monitoring of stock health and to develop enterprise procedures which provide clear direction for employees involved in such activities.
· identify common disease/parasite organisms
· make appropriate informed decisions
· develop, advise and monitor stock health management plans.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· stock health requirements
· stock pathology
· economic aspects of aquacultural activities
· external influences on stock health programs (such as legislation, consumer acceptance).

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:
· project work based on workplace or case study.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· pathogen specimen laboratory
· case study or actual workplace scenario.