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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Diagnose predator and pest infestations or problems
  2. Select control measures for the treatment of predators or pests
  3. Treat affected stock
  4. Monitor and review post-predator or pest treatment or control activities and operations

Required Skills

Required skills

applying treatments to predators or pests

assessing signs of stress in stock

communicating information about predator and pest control activities to staff

communicating significant changes to treatments to senior personnel

coordinating controls and staff

identifying possible improvements

providing feedback to staff on performance

reviewing predator or pest control programs

reviewing risk of predators or pests problems

reporting orally and in writing on predator and pest control activities and data to senior personnel

selecting control measures for the treatment of predators or pests

Literacy skills used for

filling out regulatory forms

interpreting stock health plans labels and laboratory reports

labelling samples

recording information on enterprise data sheets

writing reports for management

Numeracy skills used for

analysing the costeffectiveness of medicationchemical usage

calculating dose rates for medicationchemicals

estimating infestation severity

weights and volumes

Required knowledge

alternate combinations of treatment methodologies

characteristics signs and symptoms of predators or pest infestations of cultured or held stock

chemical and nonchemical control measures

common types and causes of environmental diseases

ESD principles

importance of good water quality and correct nutrition

life cycles and behaviour of predators or pests

local regional and state or territorybased priorities for the use of chemicals in the control of infestations

locationavailability of expert assistance

normalabnormal stock behaviour

notifiable diseases and associated regulatory requirements

options for exclusion and scaring methods which do not deliberately harm predators and pests

relevant OHS food safety and ESD requirements relating to overseeing the control of predators and pests

treatment and control methodologies stock behaviour characteristics and withholding periods of various common treatment programs

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 the ability to

organise staff assisting with predator or pest control

select control methods in line with enterprise guidelines

respond to outbreaks of pests or attack by predators in such a way as to minimise loss or harm to stock

protect or prevent stock being harmed by predators or pests

Assessment must confirm knowledge of

characteristics signs and symptoms of predator attacks or pest infestations on cultured or held stock

life cycles and behaviour of families of predators

life cycles and physiology of families of pests

methods for prevention and control of outbreaks of predators or pests

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should reflect the range of controls and preventative measures used on predators or pests typically threatening cultured or held stock in the local area

Resources may include

culture or holding structures and stock

equipment for controlling or preventing predators or pests from harming stock

treatments or products used in the control of predators or pests

microscopes and dissecting instruments

research reference material

staff to coordinate

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

case study analysis

project work or scenario based

research assignment

written or oral shortanswer testing

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with RTEA Coordinate worksite activities and other units within a qualification

This unit may be assessed holistically with RTE3704A Coordinate worksite activities, and 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.

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.

Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:

biodiversity and genetically modified organisms

biosecurity, translocation and quarantine

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) 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.

Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:

Australian Shellfish Sanitation program

equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance

exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders

handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (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:

applying animal welfare ethics and procedures

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

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

improving energy efficiency

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources

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).

Predator and pest infestationsor problems may be:

airborne, terrestrial or water based

amphibians, teleosts, reptiles, birds, elasmobranches and mammals

competitors (e.g. food, space, shelter and oxygen)

fouling organisms

human (e.g. poachers)

organisms which negatively impact on the production of the cultured or held stock

plants (e.g. weeds), seaweed and micro-algae

starfish, crustaceans, jellyfish, insects and other invertebrates.

Diagnosed may be by:

dissection of stock

microscope, binocular or stage

visual inspection.

Predator control methods may include:

airguns and other auditory measures

biological deterrence (e.g. hawks and dogs)

elimination (e.g. firearms and powerheads) or chemical bait or poisoning

human activity

netting, fences and exclusion devices, and barriers (mechanical or electrical)

reduce stress (e.g. provide cover, hides, shelters and habitat)

scare lines and kites

traps, capture and relocation.

Pest control methods may include:

biological control (e.g. cleaner fish)

chemical barriers (e.g. foot baths)

chemical control

disinfection of equipment

exclusion, trapping and poisoning

filtration and ozonation or water treatment

medication in food

reduce stress (e.g. provide cover, hides, shelters and habitat).