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:
· finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, miscellaneous aquatic invertebrates, micro-algae, seaweeds and aquatic plants
· adults, larvae, juveniles, seeds, spat, hatchlings, broodstock, fry, fingerlings, sporophytes and seedlings.

Production plan:
· layout:
· hatchery
· nursery
· farm
· culture structures
· broodstock or seedstock source
· feeding:
· formulated
· natural or cultured live feeds and micro-algae
· stock health
· monitoring:
· stock
· water
· environmental
· handling, harvesting and on-farm transport
· on-farm post-harvest.

Physical and financial records:
· breeding, feeding and production records
· mortality and health management
· rations, sales, purchases,
· environmental
· inputs and services to production
· purchased labour, contracting and share-farming costs
· information for taxation purposes
· stock transfers.

Information can be obtained from:
· news media, farm newspapers/journals
· field days, workshops and conferences
· other farmers
· farm input suppliers
· extension services and farm consultants
· fisheries and aquaculture research institutes' (RTO's, universities, government departments) web sites
· books, publications.

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:
· culture stock physiology, biology and ecology
· water quality parameters and environmental requirements for given species:
· basic and advanced water quality tests
· monitoring equipment options and limitations
· monitoring equipment calibration and operating methods
· monitoring equipment maintenance and basic repairs
· environmental protection guidelines
· stock husbandry and management
· disease surveillance and treatment protocols
· production methods for given species
· equipment used in production.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· communicating with staff
· operating, maintaining and repairing monitoring equipment
· recognising abnormal stock behaviour and environmental factors that can impact on operations
· implement stock production plans
· supervise or perform stock husbandry operations
· monitor health and welfare of stock
· adopt profitable innovations
· purchase equipment
· implement Occupational Health and Safety procedures.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading and interpreting monitoring schedules
· recording and analysing monitoring information
· extracting data/information from journals, web sites, magazines, books, trade journals
· interpreting aquatic engineering, culture technology and species biology papers
· reading water quality guidelines.

Numeracy skills used for:
· reading machines or test kits
· computer operations including using spreadsheets and entering data
· measuring weights and volumes
· applying formulae to calculate water flow.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· develop operational guidelines and monitoring systems for stock production activities, including water supply and disposal
· monitor stock growth and health and associated activities including feed supplies, health treatments and stocking densities
· maintain, review and act on records of production through stages of production
· identify, review and test innovative practices and procedures
· interpret water quality and environmental monitoring results
· implement the hatchery, nursery or farm operations procedures
· use contingency plans and emergency procedures for the aquaculture enterprise.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· water quality and environmental testing required for given situations
· water quality and environment parameters
· environmental impact statement guidelines.

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 method is suggested:
· workplace project, research assignment
· record books, testimonies from enterprise employees/manager.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· functioning aquaculture facility, including staff
· laboratory.