SFIAQUA407C
Coordinate sustainable aquacultural practices

This unit of competency involves coordinating sustainable practices in the operation of aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental facilities. The unit includes implementing strategies that minimise waste, conserve energy resources and manage water use.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

This unit has application to all aquaculture, holding and ornamental facilities and their operations. Aquaculture enterprises are required to meet strict environmental requirements as part of their conditions of operation.

Supervisory skills are covered by AHCWRK403A Supervise work routines and staff performance.

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 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. Coordinate water quality and environmental monitoring programs

1.1. Strategies for meeting legislative and environmental obligations and allocations of labour and financial resources are confirmed with management.

1.2. Water quality variables and environmental criteria to be monitored are selected according to monitoring plans, and monitoring schedules are prepared and conveyed to staff.

1.3. External contractors are briefed on management policies and priorities.

1.4. Monitoring systems are developed to ensure that the quality of the water supply system meets the requirements of the cultured or held stock.

1.5. Options for mechanisation or automation of process or activity are assessed, including the use of specialised contract services, and recommendations made to senior personnel.

2. Develop effluent and waste treatment and disposal programs

2.1. Environmental risks are determined and effluent and waste treatment and disposalprograms are developed to minimise emissions and discharges according to legislative requirements.

2.2. Options for on-site or off-site disposal of wastes are evaluated against environmental management plan.

2.3. Adverse environmental impacts due to effluent and waste treatments and disposal are minimised.

3. Manage water use for facility

3.1. Water is sourced from locations other than mains water, where possible and where appropriate.

3.2. On-land run-off or overflow water is managed to optimise its use and minimise pollutants entering river and drainage systems, settlement ponds or effluent treatment works are used appropriately according to management policies.

3.3. Culture or holding structures are positioned to achieve appropriate water flow and quality.

3.4. Stock production strategies are developed to efficiently use available water supply.

3.5. Water utilisation strategies are developed to minimise evaporation, run-off and seepage of water.

3.6. Contamination of water effluent with chemicals is minimised through sound utilisation strategies.

4. Finalise environmental protection activities

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

4.2. Relevant environmental protection data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records checked.

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

4.4. Staff are given feedback on their work performance.

4.5. Innovations in environmental protection are examined and implemented, when appropriate.

4.6. All environmental protection activities are confirmed as complying with government regulations and requirements.

4.7. Administrative planning takes into account the evaluation of environmental assets for insurance purposes.

Required Skills

Required skills

briefing staff on monitoring requirements and external contractors on management policy

confirming legislative and environmental obligations with management

assessing options for mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of specialised contract services

conserving energy resources

coordinating the implementation and monitoring of multiple strategies to achieve ecologically ESD principles

managing water use

minimising waste

providing feedback to staff on performance in relation to monitoring and environmental protection activities

researching and analysing options for disposal of waste, the use of mechanised or automated equipment, and the use of contract services

reporting orally and in writing on environmental protection data and compliance to senior personnel

undertaking an environmental audit.

Literacy skills used for:

developing and documenting monitoring schedules

reading and interpreting environmental protection guidelines and management polices

reading and writing reports

researching innovations in environmental protection.

Numeracy skills used for:

analysing budgets

interpreting monitoring records.

Required knowledge

conservation of energy and water resources

energy flows and food webs

environmental control standards

legislative requirements, including OHS, HAZCHEM, duty of care and dangerous goods

light or noise control

nutrient cycling

principles of composting and waste management

principles of sustainable aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental systems

principles of recycling, reuse and reduction of wastes

sediment or soil testing processes and procedures and results interpretation.

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:

implement sustainable practices in the aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental workplace.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

conservation of energy and water resources

environmental control standards

legislative requirements, including OHS

principles of sustainable systems for aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental facilities

principles of composting and waste management.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. Coordination of sustainable practices is best assessed over a period of time and taking into account a range of environmental management strategies.

Resources may include:

functional aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental facility

management policies.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

project (work or scenario based)

case study analysis

research assignment

written and oral short-answer tests.

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:

business or workplace operations, policies and practices:

commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices

consumer law

corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting

disability policies and practices

equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment

industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and share of catch agreements

jurisdictional variations

superannuation

taxation

trade practices

warnings and dismissals

worker's compensation

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

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

Australian Exclusive Economic Zone

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

maritime and occupational diving operations:

foreign and Australian legislation applying to quarantine and customs

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978)

Marine Emergency Response Search and Rescue (MERSAR)

National Standards for Commercial Vessels

pollution prevention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)

Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code

use of vessels, right of way and other marine orders, bunkering and refuelling

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).

Water quality variables may include:

alkalinity

ammonia

carbon dioxide

dissolved organic matter

dissolved oxygen

hardness and carbonate hardness

nitrate

nitrite

pH

phosphorus

salinity and conductivity

temperature

turbidity, suspended and settleable solids.

Environmental criteria may include:

activity of pests and predators

climatic conditions (e.g. rainfall, amount of cloud cover, and wind direction and speed)

coastal geology

contaminants

economic issues

historic, cultural or other social issues

Indigenous issues (e.g. native title)

natural foods

polyculture, aquaponics and hydroponics

stakeholder interests

tidal flow direction and speed

water quality variables

wave size and direction.

Waste treatment and disposal programs may include:

constructed wetlands

mechanical, chemical or biological filters

rearing of filter feeding species, aquatic plants or seaweed

self-composting toilets or septic tanks

settlement ponds.

Emissions and discharges may include:

fumes

gas

light

liquids and solids

noise

odour

particulates

smoke

vapour.

Wastes may include:

chemical

construction waste

fouling organisms

glass

green waste

metals

moribund or dead stock

paper

plastics

processing leftovers

solid and soluble waste.

Run-off may include:

cooling systems

inefficient or defective drains

irrigation systems

rain

stormwater

water supply.

Chemicals may include:

antifoulants

biological agents

chemical

fertilisers

pesticides, herbicides and other poisons.


Sectors

Unit sector

Aquaculture operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor