Assessor Resource

SFIAQUA406C
Seed and harvest round pearls

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit has application to the pearling industry where the seeding and harvesting of round pearls is regarded as a specialised technical skill. Personnel who carry out this work may also supervise the work of others. The removal of the molluscs from the sea can be performed by divers.

Skills in supervising and assessing the performance of staff are covered by AHCWRK403A Supervise work routines and staff performance.

Licences may be required if:

diving

operating vessels.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles.

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, checked, used and maintained.

This unit of competency involves seeding of round pearls, caring of stock and subsequent harvesting of round pearls from a range of molluscs, particularly pearl oysters, freshwater mussels, abalone and conch. It covers interpreting instructions, selecting equipment and method of operation, data entry and analysis, supervising staff and conveying of information.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

seed and harvest round pearls to acceptable industry standards

supervise staff assisting in the process.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

seeding and harvesting techniques.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

seeding schedule

stock suitable for seeding

seeding laboratory, equipment, tools and nuclei.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

demonstration

practical exercises

written or oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communicating details of the stock handling operation so staff understand their roles and responsibilities

communicating with senior personnel on seeding schedule, and labour and resource arrangements

handling stock

identifying opportunities for improvement

maintaining and repairing advanced handling and monitoring equipment

operating advanced handling and monitoring equipment

operating radiography equipment

organising and coordinating labour, transport and holding facilities

providing feedback to staff on their performance in relation to stock handling, seeding and harvesting activities

recognising normal stock behaviour and environmental conditions

reporting orally and in writing to senior personnel on round pearl production activities and recommendations for improvement

seeding stock.

Literacy skills used for:

reading and interpreting seeding schedule

recording handling, seeding and harvest information

writing reports on seeding and harvest activities.

Numeracy skills used for:

calibrating equipment

counting stock.

Required knowledge

advanced stock behaviour and biological requirements as they relate to seeding and harvesting of pearls

handling hand monitoring equipment maintenance and advanced repairs

safety considerations and hazards associated with stock handling equipment options and limitations, including use of radiography equipment.

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:

business or workplace operations, policies and practices:

commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices

consumer law

corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting

disability policies and practices

equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment

industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and share of catch agreements

jurisdictional variations

superannuation

taxation

trade practices

warnings and dismissals

worker's compensation

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including:

Australian Exclusive Economic Zone

international treaties and agreements

imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)

Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods

maritime and occupational diving operations:

foreign and Australian legislation applying to quarantine and customs

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978)

Marine Emergency Response Search and Rescue (MERSAR)

National Standards for Commercial Vessels

pollution prevention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)

Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code

use of vessels, right of way and other marine orders, bunkering and refuelling

land, buildings and vehicles:

buildings and structures design and appearance, constructions and additions

poaching, trespass and theft

road laws for use of motor vehicles, bikes, trucks and other transport equipment

soil and water management

use of chemicals and biological agents

use of firearms and powerheads

use of utilities, including water, natural gas, electricity and sewage

water or land lease, tenure or ownership and use

OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control

product quality assurance:

correct naming and labelling (e.g. country of origin, Australian Fish Names Standard and eco-labelling)

correct quantities, sizes and other customer requirements

third-party certification (e.g. Australian Grown and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems).

OHS guidelines may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers

clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace

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:

controlling use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources

managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

managing imported products quarantine and inspection, facility biosecurity, translocation of livestock and genetic material, and health certification

managing stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter

managing sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection requirements, such as size limits, quotas, season restrictions, population dynamics, fishing impacts, reducing by-catch, fisheries management strategies and maintaining biodiversity

managing, controlling and treating effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution

minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions

planning environmental and resource efficiency improvements

preventing genetically modified and live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment

protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing use of non-renewable resources

reducing disturbances to soils, erosion and surface water flows from machinery use and other activities

reducing energy use and introducing alternative energy sources.

PPE may include:

buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)

gloves

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 hair, beard and boot covers

protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions

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).

Seeding may include:

insertion of a nucleus (a rounded bead made from a bivalve shell, generally Mississippi pig mussel or mother-of-pearl) into the gonadal or somatic tissue of the shellfish for round pearl production.

Seeding schedule may include:

cleaning

counting

insertion of nuclei

pegging

recovery

retrieval

turning (tento)

X-raying.

Labour requirements may include:

divers

handling workers

specialised operators

vessel operators.

Resource requirements may include:

seeding or harvesting and transport equipment

seeding or harvesting equipment, tools and nuclei

vessels, seeding or harvesting laboratory.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Seedingschedule is read and confirmed with senior personnel. 
Labour and resource requirements for handling are determined and arranged. 
Factors which could place the health of stock at risk during seeding are identified and plans made to minimise risk. 
Operational guidelines to achieve desired handling objectives are planned and communicated effectively to staff. 
Equipment is collected and checked for serviceability. 
Repairs and calibrations are made to sub-standard equipment according to manufacturer instructions. 
Transport and holding arrangements are confirmed with contractors or internal staff as appropriate. 
Equipment, tools and nuclei are positioned and operated. 
Stock to be seeded are identified and retrieved as directed, and prepared with minimal stress and least risk of injury. 
Stock behaviour is anticipated and controlled. 
Pieces of mantle are prepared from sacrificial oyster. 
Stock are seeded with round pearl in a reasonable time and according to instructions. 
Stock are restocked in their intended culture structure in a reasonable time and allowed to recover and undergo a turning process. 
Stock are X-rayed for nuclei retention and returned to culture structure in a reasonable time. 
Full pearls are removed from stock and stock re-seeded, if appropriate, before being returned to culture structure in a reasonable time. 
Seeding activities are supervised and monitored to ensure consistency with harvest schedule and operation guidelines. 
Work practices are monitored to ensure minimal stock stress and damage. 
Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised and condition report prepared. 
Relevant round pearl production data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records checked. 
Compliance and other required reports prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of round pearl production, and recommendations made for improvements. 
Staff are given feedback on their work performance. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SFIAQUA406C - Seed and harvest round pearls
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

SFIAQUA406C - Seed and harvest round pearls

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: