Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an environmental management strategy that involves researching, planning and implementing effective practices for waste management, energy and water conservation, and managing wildlife.
This unit applies to individuals who have specialised knowledge and technical and/or managerial responsibility for planning and implementing environmentally sustainable strategies, systems and practices within an aquaculture setting.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Research environmental strategies | 1.1 Assess environmental and aesthetic values of workplace location 1.2 Assess strategies for their effectiveness in reducing environmental impacts on the workplace, including ongoing reduction of waste, energy use, water efficiency and adverse impacts with wildlife and other resource users and uses 1.3 Obtain professional assistance appropriate to complexity of task and financial risk involved, and consult appropriate bodies 1.4 Research mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including use of specialised contract services, in line with workplace practices |
2. Prepare environmental management plan | 2.1 Design environmental management plan based on risk identification and mitigation procedures 2.2 Incorporate requirements of business plan, production plan and other planning parameters in the environmental management plan, ensuring it is achievable with workplace resources and budget 2.3 Identify and allocate financial and other resources for environmental management within workplace 2.4 Ensure environmental management strategies comply with legislative requirements and are incorporated into risk mitigation procedures 2.5 Identify and address any community concerns in the development of strategies 2.6 Develop and document water quality and ongoing environmental monitoring plans, and communicate areas of responsibility to staff 2.7 Incorporate newly available technologies into environmental management strategies if practicable and feasible |
3. Establish a waste management system | 3.1 Identify wastes and outputs for inclusion in waste water management system 3.2 Collect, treat and store waste water and re-use as part of management system 3.3 Obtain materials and consumables used by workplace, from recycled or re-useable materials in quantities that result in packaging and waste reduction 3.4 Use composting, shredding, re-using and recycling according to workplace procedures 3.5 Identify waste disposal contractors, negotiate terms and award business according to environmental management plan 3.6 Monitor performance of contract and take action where variance is identified |
4. Conserve energy resources | 4.1 Manage and operate machinery efficiently to reduce fuel usage and emissions or discharges 4.2 Source energy used for heating, cooling, lighting and operation of remote appliances from alternative sources where appropriate and available 4.3 Design buildings and structures, taking into consideration the use of passive energy for lighting, heating and shelter |
5. Conserve water resources | 5.1 Manage water to optimise its use according to the environmental management plan 5.2 Minimise contamination with chemicals and wastes through sound utilisation strategies 5.3 Use settlement ponds, effluent treatment works and waste reduction processes appropriately |
6. Minimise adverse interactions with wildlife and other resource users | 6.1 Identify and assess potential interactions with wildlife and other resource users for adverse impacts 6.2 Develop strategies to mitigate adverse interactions |
7. Undertake an environmental audit | 7.1 Complete environmental audit, taking into consideration all relevant factors 7.2 Prepare reports according to workplace, customer and legal requirements |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Researches and analyses technical information from a range of sources Interprets business and legal requirements in documentation |
Writing | Prepares plans and audit reports using appropriate format, clear language and correct technical terminology |
Numeracy | Measures waste and water and energy usage to calculate efficiencies Quantifies resource costs relevant to environmental management plan Assesses financial risk |
Oral communication | Participates in verbal exchanges to convey and explain information clearly using language appropriate for the audience |
Navigate the world of work | Understands legislative and regulatory requirements and recognises problems that have the potential to become issues, taking steps to address them before they escalate |
Interact with others | Liaises collaboratively with a range of personnel both internal and external to the workplace |
Get the work done | Uses systematic, analytical processes to identify and solve problems and make decisions relating to environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices Uses workplace digital systems and tools to access, organise and analyse data and information relevant to environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices |
Sectors
Aquaculture (AQU)