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.

Equipment:
· pens and pencils
· waterproof record sheets and labels
· tagging equipment
· calibrating equipment
· electronic measuring devices
· soft measuring boards
· scales
· calipers
· data logging equipment and buoys
· computers, including laptops and software
· digital and polaroid cameras
· preservatives
· sample storage materials and containers.

Measurements and observations:
· number and species of fish, including dead and undersized
· sex of fish and gonad state
· number and species of by-catch, including per shot and per day
· number and species of seabirds and marine mammals
· quantity of catch:
· number
· weight
· percentage of bin
· size of catch:
· standard length
· fork length
· snout to anus
· eye-tail
· eye-fork
· weight:
· fresh
· cleaned
· with and without head
· location (latitude and longitude) and distance from significant port or landmark
· time and date
· weather and sea conditions:
· wind speed and direction
· wave and swell height and direction
· phase of moon
· tides and currents
· environmental conditions:
· bottom and surface water temperatures
· pH
· debris
· oily substances
· water quality
· bottom conditions
· retrieval of tags:
· location
· sex
· size
· colour
· damage
· reproductive status
· double tag
· interrogation of dataloggers
· seabird activity:
· numbers
· species
· level of interest or disinterest
· hook ups
· diving
· distance from vessel.

Samples:
· samples of fish species:
· whole fish for identification
· hard or soft samples
· otoliths
· stomach contents
· gonads
· muscle samples for genetic analysis
· environmental conditions, including water and microscopic organisms
· 'dumb' and 'smart' tags.

Estimations:
· whole catch
· percentage of bin
· time
· catch conversion factors for a variety of processing techniques such as skin on/off, head on/off, fillets and square/diagonal cut
· extrapolation of data to estimate catch from sample time to trawl time, and from sample number and weight to total catch.

Procedures:
· Australian and international standards
· standard operating procedures
· equipment manuals
· calibration and maintenance schedules
· agency recording and reporting procedures
· storage of samples, including preservation and freezing
· Occupational Health and Safety procedures.

Sampling conditions:
· random and stratified (time dependent, top/bottom) samples
· spill to bin
· percentage of bin
· use of appropriate containers
· use of preservatives
· labelling information
· wrapping and preparations for freezing to prevent burn
· monitoring of storage conditions, including temperature control
· appropriate transportation methods.

Atypical measurements and observations:
· unexpected species or by-catch
· unusual biological features of catch (eg size, weight and age)
· unusual environmental conditions
· fish kills and algal blooms
· catch of sea birds and marine mammals
· measurements outside expected ranges due to calibration errors or faulty equipment
· changed fishing practice such as into wind, across wind and depth.

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:
· commercial fisheries and unique aspects relevant to the fishery, sector or geographic area
· species, product, work regime and typical equipment used
· fisheries management methodologies and associated data requirements
· basic environmental management procedures, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the specific sector within the seafood industry
· broad knowledge of ecologically sustainable development principles and practices
· fisheries research methodologies and the application of scientific data to management processes
· basic measurement techniques, including calibrating equipment
· basic principles of sampling including:
· obtaining representative or randomised samples
· preserving the integrity of samples
· maintaining the identification or traceability of samples relative to their source, including labelling
· achieving consistency in sampling procedures
· storing and transporting samples.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· undertaking measurements and collecting samples and other data suitable for use in fisheries research and management
· preparing and presenting data and samples for use in fisheries research
· routine cleaning, calibrating and maintenance of equipment.

Literacy skills used for:
· providing information to engage vessel crew in data collection and observation
· labelling and recording samples
· presenting data and information in formats to support its application in fisheries research and management.

Numeracy skills used for:
· calibrating measuring equipment
· preparing and measuring samples according to sampling plans and conducting basic measurements, calculations and estimations to reflect fishing operations and environmental impacts.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to follow a sampling plan and associated procedures, to conduct measurements and to collect biological samples and other scientific data.

Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· apply quality data collection processes that yield outcomes that are valid and comparable to other data sources
· obtain specified measurements, observations, estimations and representative samples
· preserve or protect samples to minimise change or deterioration
· identify samples to ensure a link to their origins
· identify atypical measurements and samples and suggest possible causes and effects
· complete data collection and sampling records
· engage other vessel crew members to support data collection.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· relevant procedures for planning, designing, conducting, recording and reporting measurements and samples taken
· use of measuring and sampling equipment
· measuring techniques
· sampling methodologies
· typical and likely atypical occurrences.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit is best assessed in conjunction with other units relating to data collection and the on-board observation of fishing activity.

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 to assess underpinning knowledge
· practical exercises, including the design and conduct of measurement and sampling processes
· examples of workplace recording and reporting completed by the candidate
· observation of the candidate while conducting on-board observations
· third-party reports from team leaders, cruise personnel, users of the marine environment and other relevant personnel.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· relevant documentation such as:
· standard operating procedures for sampling and data collection
· sampling and data collection plans
· cruise procedures and protocols for observers
· selection of sampling equipment and recording sheets
· equipment maintenance schedules and procedures.