Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to review, develop and implement a program and work procedures for maintaining the health of stock.
The unit applies to individuals who have planning responsibilities for an aquaculture stock health program and who supervise the work of others.
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.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Gather information for a stock health program | 1.1 Interpret and review stock health management plan and stock production, and confirm objectives with senior personnel 1.2 Identify locally prevalent health problems and note potential exotic pests, predators and diseases, especially those with significant economic impact 1.3 Investigate current industry husbandry practices that prevent and control health problems |
2. Develop health program for cultured or held stock | 2.1 Select control measures that aim to prevent the introduction of pests, predators and diseases to the facility 2.2 Select control measures that protect filter feeding stock from contamination or other stock from pests, predators or diseases 2.3 Develop routines for health treatment of stock according to current veterinary principles 2.4 Develop a yearly calendar of health management operations according to overall stock production program and stock health management plans 2.5 Assess options for mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of new or emerging technology and, if required, specialised contract services 2.6 Make recommendations to senior personnel based on research and/or consultation |
3. Implement a stock health program | 3.1 Communicate stock health program and establish roles and responsibilities to all involved 3.2 Establish and communicate workplace procedures for the use of therapeutic chemicals and biological agents that ensure personal safety and environmental protection to staff 3.3 Monitor stock health program for effectiveness, and modify accordingly to meet program objectives 3.4 Meet legal requirements and regulations relating to stock health management |
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 developed and implemented a stock health program, including:
researched and reported to management on treatment or prevention options in consideration of economic, regulatory, environmental and safety factors
established control measures and workplace plans and procedures covering all aspects of stock health
communicated details of the stock health program to staff
monitored effectiveness and legal requirements of stock health program and 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:
purpose of stock health programs
areas of vulnerability for cultured or held stock to pests, predators and diseases
welfare requirements of cultured or held stock
ecology and behaviour of:
pests and predators
disease agents
species
key requirements of legislation and regulations relating to:
animal welfare and health care
use of chemicals and other disease treatments or control methods
biosecurity and food safety related to stock health
interaction between stock, the environment and disease agents in the development and treatment or control of disease
costs of chemicals and other disease treatment or control methods
workplace procedures used for disease control and prevention in cultured or held stock
processes and technology used to develop and monitor operation plans and workplace procedures.
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 or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
resources, equipment and materials:
stock health management plan and stock information for a functional aquaculture facility
specifications:
workplace procedures relating to stock health and/or developing programs
relationships:
interactions with relevant personnel.
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 | Research and interpret a range of textual and numeric information relevant to stock health management to determine required actions |
Writing | Prepare and logically structure components of the stock health plan Make edits and changes to update the stock health plan documentation |
Oral communication | Participate in verbal exchanges to report and present information and provide feedback to a range of personnel |
Numeracy | Calculate medication and chemical quantities for specific treatment and prevention activities Confirm appropriateness of dose rates calculated by other staff Calculate resources required for stock health plan for a period of time |
Sectors
Aquaculture (AQU)