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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Determine breeding objectives
  2. Determine and apply selection criteria
  3. Manage the breeding program

Required Skills

Required skills

analysing economic and production data

calculating genetic gain and evaluating it

developing breeding strategy and setting breeding objectives

directing personnel on implementing the breeding plan

researching veterinary guidelines and broodstock requirements

selecting female and male broodstock

selecting genetic resources

Literacy skills used for

compiling detailed stock records

designing and documenting programs

interpreting laboratory reports and permit requirements

reading and assessing literature

Numeracy skills used for

calculating percentage per proportion of sexes used and traits passed on to progeny

counting stock

Required knowledge

assessment criteria to determine the effectiveness of breeding

basic principles of genetics

breeding and life cycle biology of cultured or held stock

breeding strategy available

breeding techniques and programs which maximise genetic gain

economic assessment of production characteristics

genetic development in aquaculture and ornamental stock

mechanisation or automation of process or activity

risks associated with breeding program

use of specialised contract services

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

select desired trait

select suitable broodstock and genetic material

plan and manage breeding facilities

implement maturation or spawning treatments

manage the breeding program

assess effectiveness of strategy

Assessment must confirm knowledge of

assessment criteria to determine effectiveness of breeding strategies

breeding and life cycle biology of culture stock

breeding strategies

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment Assessment will need to cover several breeding cycles and at least two species common to the region

Resources may include

broodstock and genetic material

broodstock handling facility

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:

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

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

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, 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).

Breeding strategy requirements may include:

crosses and use of hybrids

emasculation or single sex manipulation

induced spawning

natural spawning

other sterilising methods

polyploidy

source of broodstock (wild caught or captive breed) check for local strains

source of stock (wild caught or captive breed) - check for local strains

stripping of gametes.

Facility may include:

broodstock holding facility

nursery

spawning and larval rearing facility (hatchery).

Characteristics of cultured or held stock may include:

numbers required

optimum size or grade to stock culture units

optimum time to stock culture units

size or life cycle phase required.

Economic assessments may include:

condition

costs and benefits of alternative strategies

feed conversion ratio (FCR)

growth rates

percentage improvement per generation

proportion of desired traits

survival rates and hardiness.

Selection aims or goals may include:

breeding goals

disease resistance

family selection criteria

faster growth

improved production history

improved profitability

improved survival hardiness

strain selection criteria.

Visual methods may include:

age

general appearance and colour

percentage deformity

sex ratio

size

temperament.

Objective methods may include:

body weight

condition and gonad maturation

disease infestations or parasites

disease susceptibility and survivability

flesh colour and condition

growth rate

previous breeding success

standard selection indices

vitality and hardiness.

Genetic material may include:

cell cultures

ova (non-fertilised and fertilised)

sperm.

Maturation or spawning treatments may include:

eyestalk and ablation

food availability

hormonal or chemical

light

pH

salinity

stripping of gonadesgonads

temperature

tidal or water flow.