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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

plans and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for fishing sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics

uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities for a range of individual learning styles

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve fishing performance

evaluates and reflects on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of multiple fishing activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document sessions

appropriate bodies of water for the conduct of instructional sessions

a group of participants to take part in the session

fishing, navigation, safety and first aid equipment

relevant regulatory requirement

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of planning processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics

oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all fishing activities

observation of safe fishing instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics

portfolio of fishing session plans

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan fishing sessions that meet their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of sessions

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

address participant difficulties in developing fishing techniques

anticipate and respond to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable body of water

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups for fishing

language and literacy skills to:

produce fishing and instructional plans for the fishing session

complete post session participant and self evaluations

personal fishing skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain fishing techniques to participants

water reading skills, such as direction and speed of flow, currents, eddies and other hydrological features that may impact on fishing and safety

weather reading skills such as wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and other meteorological features that may impact on fishing and safety

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies while instructing fishing skills.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and legal conduct of all activities performed during fishing sessions

location specific information to enable management of potential fishing hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the location

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for fishing, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing and footwear requirements for fishing to ensure comfort and safety

care and maintenance of fishing equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

fishing techniques used to maximise catch

boating skills relevant to the instructional fishing session

technical fishing knowledge, such as rig setup, deployment, monitoring and retrieval

hydrology and river features such as currents, banks, change in gradient and volume, and how these impact on the fishing session

navigation techniques to determine location and direction

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their effect on the session

hazards commonly experienced on and around water and ways to avoid or negotiate these

emergency procedures, rescues, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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.

Characteristics may include:

age

cultural and situational factors

previous experience and knowledge

physical development.

Session's aims and objectives may include:

rigging a fishing rod to suit a target species

using techniques to deploy, monitor and retrieve fishing rigs

practicing casting technique

locating appropriate fishing locations

landing, handling and despatching fish

tagging and releasing fish.

Instructional plan may include:

sequence of instruction:

simple to complex

part to whole

chronological

known to unknown

D.E.D.I.C.T:

Demonstrate

Explain

Demonstrate

Instruct

Critique

Test

E.D.I.C.T:

Explain

Demonstrate

Instruct

Critique

Test

I.D.E.A:

Introduce

Demonstrate

Explain

Apply

orientate, enhance, synthesise

fishing activities and drills

duration of activities and drills.

Fishing plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, resources and equipment

instructor and participant ratios.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

safety and emergency procedures

use, maintenance and storage of fishing equipment

procedures for handling dangerous fish

procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water

manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use

risk management procedures

time and budget constraints

confidentiality of participant information

communication protocols

code of ethics.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions

Contingency plans may include:

change in weather and conditions

equipment failure.

Equipment may include:

fishing equipment

navigation equipment

safety and rescue equipment.

Resources may include:

clothing and footwear

teaching aids.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including tide times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Relevant information may include:

fishing techniques

risk and hazard prevention and management

rules and codes

responsible and safe behaviour.

Communication system may include:

calls

whistles

paddle signals

hand or arm signals

International River Signals.rod signals.

Instructional techniques may include:

demonstration

communication

instruction

feedback.

Activity specific knowledge may include:

fishing skills and techniques

water body features and hydrology

risk and hazard management.

Fishing skills may include:

casting techniques

directing and manoeuvring a rig

landing procedures.

Safety and rescue procedures may include:

emergency response

group management in emergency situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common fishing risks.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.