SFIAQUA205C
Feed stock

This unit of competency involves carrying out a range of stock feeding activities, including hand and mechanical feeding and undertaking specific or general observations. It covers interpreting instructions and using equipment appropriately. It does not cover the production of micro-algae and live-feeds, nor is it applicable to stock that relies on only naturally-occurring feed.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application

Licences may be required if operating:

load-shifting equipment, including forklifts

vehicles

vessels.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines, food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures, and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles.

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, checked used and maintained.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for feeding

1.1. The feeding schedule is noted and confirmed with supervisor.

1.2. Required equipment is collected and checked for serviceability according to manufacturer instructions.

1.3. Basic repairs and calibrations are made to sub-standard equipment according to manufacturer instructions.

1.4. Data or record sheets/books are collected for use.

1.5. Required quality and quantity of feed is collected and loaded into feed hopper or container.

1.6. Feed, equipment and data sheets are moved to feeding site and readied for use.

2. Feed stock

2.1. Culture or holding structure due to receive feed is identified and confirmed.

2.2. For set feed, feed is distributed according to feeding schedule, and feed trays are checked to determine next feeding level.

2.3. For satiation feed, feed response is noted and feeding continued until response slows down.

2.4. Stock behaviour is observed and recorded and any abnormal activity is reported to supervisor.

2.5. Automatic or mechanised equipment is operated and maintained.

3. Complete post-feeding activities

3.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised, and condition report prepared.

3.2. Relevant feeding data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records are checked.

3.3. Compliance and other required reports are prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of feeding, and recommendations made for improvements.

3.4. Feedback on own work performance is sought from supervisor and opportunities to improve identified.

Required Skills

Required skills

communicating ideas on possible improvements

communicating with supervisor on feeding activities and on own performance

feeding techniques

maintaining and repairing basic feeding equipment

operating basic feeding equipment

providing oral reports to the supervisor on feeding

recognising normal and abnormal stock behaviour and environmental conditions.

Literacy skills used for:

interpreting a feeding schedules

interpreting feed labels

recording feeding information.

Numeracy skills used for:

estimating percentage of feed consumed

calculating time between feedings

counting the number of feeds taken

measuring feed.

Required knowledge

basic stock feeding behaviour

effects of feeding on stock

effects of water and atmospheric conditions on stock feeding behaviour and OHS of employees

feeding equipment, maintenance and basic repairs

handling equipment calibration and operating methods

meanings of ratios, metric units and the concept of percentages

operation and maintenance of automatic or mechanised equipment

safety considerations and hazards associated with feeding equipment options and limitations

storage of feed to maintain quality and minimise pest infestation, including rotation of feed bags, climate control and pest-proofing storage

types of feeds required.

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:

interpret and follow feeding schedule

feed stock by hand or using mechanical devices

make and record observations about stock behaviour during feeding.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

conditions affecting feeds

factors affecting feed quality of formulated feeds

feeding equipment

feeding methods

feed types

specific feeding requirements of stock.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment, which reflects the range of conditions that may influence feeding activities in a workplace typical of the local area.

Resources may include:

feed record data sheets

feeding schedule

range of stock and culture structures relevant to the local area

range of feed products and appropriate feeding equipment

work procedures for feeding formulated diets or increasing access to natural feeds.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

practical exercises

practical demonstration

written or oral short-answer 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:

biodiversity and genetically modified organisms

biosecurity, translocation and quarantine

business or workplace operations, policies and practices

correct marketing names and labelling

environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

food safety/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody, and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Fish) orders

health and welfare of aquatic animals

maritime operations, safety at sea and pollution control

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

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)

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

appropriate disposal of waste feeds

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

improving energy efficiency

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources

minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing energy use

reducing use of non-renewable resources

undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

PPE may include:

gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering

buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)

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 outdoor clothing for tropical conditions

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).

Feeding schedule may include:

any specific requirements, such as:

feeding trays

observations to be made

special care or feeding techniques

feed types and location of stores

feeding method and equipment requirements

frequency (e.g. times per day/per hour)

culture stock and culture or holding structure to be fed

nutriments and natural sources of nutriments and food

period over which feeding is to be carried out

quantities (e.g. weight and volume)

time at which feeding is to be carried out.

Nutriments may include:

enrichment formulae

feeds (e.g. micro-algae, pellets, powders and emulsions)

green water

nutrients, fertilisers or other chemicals.

Equipment may include:

feed trays

hoppers, buckets or bags

mechanised or automated:

belt

blower

clock

demand

smart

spinner

scoops

transport:

forklifts

motorbikes

vehicles

vessels.

Feed may include:

brand and batch

emulsions or broths

flakes or chips

live:

algae

brine shrimp

copepods

insects and other invertebrate

nematodes

polychaetes

rotifers

zooplankton

moist, semi-moist or dry

natural or formulated (e.g. artificial or man-made)

pellets, powders, crumbles or granules

plants:

aquatic

micro-algae

seaweed

sinking or floating

size and shape.

Culture or holding structures may include:

cages, pontoons, enclosures and pens, including associated moorings, anchors and markers

dams, ponds and pools

display tanks, aquaria and aquascapes

grow out facilities, hatcheries and nurseries

harvesting swimways, canals or channels

live holding tanks, bins, cages and pens

longlines, posts, racks and rails, rafts, fences, socks, trays, sticks, baskets, modules, barrels, bags and panels

open, flow-through, closed and semi-closed systems

purging or depurating systems

tanks, raceways and recirculating systems.

Records may include:

per cent in feed trays at start and at end

amount of feed required

amount of feed actually provided

daily consumption

feed quality measures, such as presence/level of dust, pests and contaminants

labour content (e.g. hours/day/week)

number of feeds undertaken

time between feedings.


Sectors

Unit sector

Aquaculture operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor