Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manipulate the stock culture environment to optimise growing or holding conditions.
The unit applies to individuals who carry out routine tasks relating to culture or holding environments in an aquaculture facility under the guidance of a supervisor.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace. Licences may be required if operating load-shifting equipment, vehicles or vessels.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Prepare for manipulation of culture or holding environment | 1.1 Confirm with supervisor water quality parameter to be adjusted 1.2 Collect required water treatment materials, equipment and personal protective equipment, and check for serviceability 1.3 Observe water and environmental conditions that could adversely impact stock, and report to supervisor |
2. Manipulate culture or holding environment | 2.1 Apply water treatment safely and in accordance with work health and safety (WHS), food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, stock requirements and supervisor instructions 2.2 Observe stock behaviour and use work practices that minimise stock stress and damage 2.3 Check water parameters manipulated against stock requirements |
3. Complete activities after the environment has been manipulated | 3.1 Clean work area and dispose of waste materials safely according to workplace procedures 3.2 Check and store tools and equipment, reporting any identified repair requirements to supervisor 3.3 Record relevant data and observations, and report any abnormal records to supervisor |
Evidence of Performance
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has manipulated the stock culture environment on at least one occasion, including:
communicating with and reporting to supervisor on manipulating the stock culture environment
preparing and safely applying basic water treatment using appropriate water treatment materials, equipment and personal protective equipment
monitoring culture and holding environments to ensure optimal conditions for rearing stock, while adhering to workplace health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations
completing accurate observation records to demonstrate compliance with workplace procedures
cleaning up work area and storing tools and equipment after environment manipulation activities.
Evidence of Knowledge
An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:
use and purpose of basic water quality tests
features of basic water quality and environmental factors that can impact stock
effects of water and culture conditions on stock
key characteristics of normal and abnormal stock behaviour
methods and techniques for manipulating stock culture or holding environments
main reasons for manipulating the stock culture environment
safe work practices and biosecurity measures used when manipulating stock culture and holding environments.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
skills must be demonstrated in an aquaculture workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
resources, equipment and materials:
basic water treatment materials and equipment for manipulating stock culture environment
personal protective equipment
culture or holding structures containing stock
data or recording sheets
specifications:
work instructions and workplace procedures for manipulating stock culture environments
relationships:
evidence of interactions with supervisor.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interprets key information in work instructions and relevant workplace procedures |
Writing | Completes workplace records legibly and accurately |
Numeracy | Measures parameters being adjusted |
Oral communication | Asks questions to clarify job requirements Describes abnormal records, stock behaviour or environmental conditions to supervisor using correct terminology |
Interact with others | Follows accepted practices and protocols for reporting issues to supervisors |
Get the work done | Plans routine tasks and seeks guidance when plans are interrupted, circumstances change or resources are not available |
Sectors
Aquaculture (AQU)