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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for predator and pest control
  2. Check and maintain predator and pest control structures and equipment
  3. Assist with disposal of wastes and mortalities
  4. Complete post- predator and pest control activities

Required Skills

Required skills

communicating ideas on possible improvements

communicating with supervisor on work instructions for control activities

operating predator and pest control structures and equipment

providing oral reports to the supervisor on effectiveness of controls

recognising normal and gross abnormal stock behaviour

repairing and maintaining predator and pest control structures and equipment

Literacy skills used for

recording predator and pest control information

Numeracy skills used for

counting predators and pests

reporting mortalities

Required knowledge

gross signssymptoms of common diseases of cultured or held stock

habitats and behaviour of pests and predators

hygiene risks associated with predator and pest control

normal behaviour of stock

OHS requirements relating to predator and pest control

potential effects on cultured or held stock

predator and pest control structures and equipment options

regulations about protected species

safe use of chemicals

work procedures for various tasks associated with predator and pest control

Evidence Required

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 ability to

assist with the construction or erection and maintenance of predator and pest control structures and equipment

recognise and report actual and potential predator and pest problems

Assessment must confirm knowledge of

behavioural traits of problem species

construction or erection and maintenance techniques for predator and pest control mechanisms

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should cover the range of pests predators and diseases typically found in the region

Resources may include

a range of pest and predator control mechanisms

culture or holding structures within water containing stock and threatened by actual andor potential pests and predators

data sheet for recording observations and actions

work procedures for treatment and control of predators and pests

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

demonstration

practical exercises

project work

written or oral shortanswer testing

Guidance information for assessment

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


Range Statement

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:

biodiversity and genetically modified organisms

biosecurity, translocation and quarantine

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Fish) orders and other import requirements

business or workplace operations, policies and practices

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences

health and welfare of aquatic animals

Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods

OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

OHS guidelines may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers

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:

applying animal welfare ethics and procedures

control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution

control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance

improving energy efficiency

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources

maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection

minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions

preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing energy use

reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas

reducing use of non-renewable resources

undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material

using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality

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)

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 outdoor clothing for tropical conditions

respirator or face mask

safety harness

sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)

uniforms or overalls

waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).

Predators and pests may include:

airborne

amphibians, teleosts, reptiles, birds, elasmobranch and mammals

competitors for food, space, shelter and oxygen

fouling organisms

human (e.g. poachers)

plants (weeds), seaweed and micro-algae

starfish, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and other invertebrates

terrestrial

water based.

Behavioural traits may include:

day or night time activity

entry and exit into culture or holding structures

feeding or attack methods

location and hunting methods

size of prey targeted

solitary or groups.

Potential effects may include:

increased avoidance activity

increased stress

loss/escape of stock

mortalities

reduced breeding

reduced feeding

reduced growth rates

transfer of disease or pathogens.

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.

Control structures and equipment may include:

acoustic deterrents (e.g. gas gun, electronic, firecrackers and firearms)

biological control (e.g. cleaner fish, predator species, dogs and geese)

electrical wires and fences

exclusion nets, cages, netting and fences

firearms and powerheads

floodlights

human activity

overflow barriers, screens on inlets and outlets

poisons and chemicals (e.g. pesticides, herbicides and anti-foulants)

shelters and habitat

tin and fibro fences

traps

turbidity

visual deterrents (e.g. scarecrows).

Basic repairs and maintenance may include:

mending screens, nets and fencing

replacing broken or unserviceable traps, shelters, habitats, scarecrows and lights.

Wastes may include:

biohazard wastes (e.g. moribund animals, hormones and chemicals)

from predator and pest control structures

nutrient-rich water and sediments

uneaten food and settled solids.

Mortalities may include

cultured or held stock

predators, pests and other organisms.

Disposal may include:

biohazards

loose or packaged

off site

on site.