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:

accurately determine labour, equipment and other requirements for each stage of operation

produce a profitable and sustainable stock production plan for an aquaculture enterprise which is ecologically, biologically and financially sustainable.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

aquaculture production

basic business skills to analyse financial performance of the production plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. To assess a plan's profitability and sustainability, evidence should be gathered over a period of time which allows for at least one (1) full production cycle.

Resources may include:

marketing or business plan

sustainable aquaculture policies

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

project (work or scenario based)

case studies

written or oral questions.

Guidance information for assessment

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

Required skills

establishing OHS procedures

making judgements on a wide range of factors, including resource requirements, which are to be detailed in the production plan

managing personnel

planning and scheduling to meet market, on-farm processing and off-farm transport requirements

researching mechanical and automation options

Literacy skills used for:

developing detailed production plans and supporting schedules

extracting data/information from journals, websites, magazines, books and trade journals

writing reports.

Numeracy skills used for:

calculating chemical dose rate

forecasting and budgeting

recording and presenting data

using spreadsheets and entering data.

Required knowledge

biological and physical requirements of stock

disease surveillance and health management protocols

legislation, regulations and voluntary codes of practice

production cycles

mechanisation or automation of process or activity

stock breeding, where appropriate

stock health

stock husbandry and management

stock nutrition or feeding

use of specialised contract services.

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

food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody

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.

Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:

Australian Shellfish Sanitation program

display, packaging and sale of food, including seafood and aquatic products

equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance

exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders

handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products

HACCP, food safety program, and other risk minimisation and quality assurance systems

location, construction and servicing of seafood premises

people, product and place hygiene and sanitation requirements

Primary Products Standard and the Australian Seafood Standard (voluntary)

processing, further processing and preparation of food, including seafood and aquatic products

product labelling, tracing and recall

receipt, storage and transportation of food, including seafood and aquatic products

requirements set out in Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Food Standards Code and state and territory food regulations

temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.

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, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering

hard hat or protective head covering

hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)

insulated protective clothing for freezers or chillers and refrigeration units

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

respirator or face mask

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).

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.

Stage or component of the enterprise may include:

broodstock collection and maturation

display or holding

hatchery production or seed stock collection

nursery culture

on-farm post-harvest or processing

on growing and grow out

single or multiple species (e.g. polyculture and integrated culture).

Government regulations relating to farm ownership/possession may include:

aquacultural tenancy, ornamental permits or leases

lease arrangements and requirements (contract growing)

rights, responsibilities and limitations relating to farm ownership or possession (lease)

stock permits/licences.

Government regulations relating to farm production may include:

baseline study and environmental monitoring

control of predators, pests and diseases

handling, transport, storage and use of chemicals

licensing of vehicles and vessels

notification of notifiable diseases

OHS requirements

product quality and food safety

provision of relevant data for authorities

registration of firearms

transport of broodstock and seedstock

use of exotic species.

Production facilities may include:

air supplies, oxygen or gases

backup equipment (e.g. water, air and power supplies)

culture or holding structures

electricity, gas or power supplies

feeding equipment

lease markers, fences and gateways, laneways, tracks and roads

predator or pest exclusion

processing, grading and storage sheds

waste treatment and disposal

water storage, supply, treatment and disposal systems

water quality.

Equipment requirements may include:

cleaning equipment

graders, counters, scales and measuring equipment

harvesting equipment:

fish pump

nets, cages, traps and scoops

remote operated video or still camera

swim way

PPE:

anaesthetics or restraints for dangerous animals

transport equipment:

bags

baskets

buckets, pails and tanks

oxygen supply

water treatment equipment:

aerators

filters

flow regulators

sterilisers, including ultraviolet (UV) and ozone

temperature control

waste collection or disposal.

Inputs and services may include:

biofoulants and other pest treatments

chemicals for parasite and disease prevention and control

culture or holding infrastructure and associated materials

employed labour, contractors and share farmers

energy (e.g. fuel, gas and electricity)

feeds

harvesting and production equipment and supplies

seedstock and broodstock

water.