SFIAQUA501C
Develop a stock nutrition program

This unit of competency involves developing and improving a stock nutrition program for an aquacultural or ornamental enterprise. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit has application for aquaculture culture and holding environments that rely in full or in part on formulated feeds.

A stock nutrition program is closely associated with the enterprise production plan and stock health program.

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. Plan a stock nutrition program

1.1. Nutritional requirements (daily and seasonal) of cultured or held stock are determined from published data on species, research programs, historical records, industry practice and enterprise procedures.

1.2. Mechanisation or automation of process or activity, including the use of specialised contract services, is researched and benefits identified.

1.3. Plan is developed to ensure adequate nutrition is provided to achieve appropriate stock condition in line with the enterprise production plan.

1.4. Plan responds to different nutrition requirements during a range of conditions over the growing cycle of the stock.

1.5. The most cost-effective approach to applying the required nutrients is determined.

1.6. Selected foods in the nutrition plan are researched to identify and minimise risk of adverse side effects on stock or stock culture or holding environment.

1.7. Nutrition plan is documented and communicated to supervisors and management.

2. Monitor and improve the stock nutrition program

2.1. Implementation of the program is monitored by stock testing to ensure requirements of the enterprise production plan are achieved.

2.2. Nutrition program is reviewed and monitored to ensure it remains responsive to changing conditions.

2.3. New feeds or formulations are tested and introduced into nutrition program, if suitable.

2.4. Appropriate courses of action are implemented to alleviate or overcome identified shortcomings in the program.

2.5. Remedial action undertaken is documented and reported to management.

Required Skills

Required skills

analysing data as the basis for making improvements to the stock nutrition program

conveying information on nutrition program to personnel for implementation

monitoring the stock nutrition program

planning skills to develop a nutrition program

testing feeds, water and stock

researching nutritional information and mechanisation or automation options for feeding and monitoring

reporting on remedial actions to management.

Literacy skills used for:

documenting programs

reading and interpreting enterprise production plan

reading and researching technical literature

recording information

writing and presenting reports.

Numeracy skills used for:

analysing the cost-effectiveness of the stock nutrition program

statistical analysis of data in nutrition or feeding trials.

Required knowledge

feeding behaviour of stock

feed delivery methods

feed preparation

feeding strategy

macro and micro-elements

nutrient cycling

nutriment deficiency or toxicity symptoms

nutritional requirements of specific stock

nutriment uptake by stock

relationship between environmental and water conditions and nutriment availability to stock

mechanisation or automation of process or activity

sources of stock nutriments

use of specialised contract services.

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:

develop a cost-effective stock nutrition program for cultured or held stock that takes into account the stock nutritional requirements under a range of conditions, the enterprise production plan and ESD principles.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

feeding strategy

feed delivery methods

feeding behaviour

feed preparation

macro and micro-elements

nutrient cycling

nutriment deficiency or toxicity symptoms

nutritional requirements of specific stock

nutriment uptake by stock

relationship between water characteristics and nutrient availability to stock

sources of stock nutriments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. To assess a stock nutrition program as cost-effective and meeting stock requirements under a range of conditions, the assessment period should be over at least one (1) full production cycle.

Resources may include:

research material relating to stock nutrition.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

case study analysis

practical exercises

project (work or scenario based)

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:

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including 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 stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter

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).

Cultured or held stock may include:

adults, broodstock (ready to breed), seedstock or stockers, eggs and sperm, fertilised eggs, larvae, post-larvae, seed, spat, hatchlings, yearlings, juveniles, fry, fingerlings, yearlings, smolt, sporophytes, seedlings and tissue cultures

finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, polychaete and oligochaete worms, plankton, micro-algae, seaweed, aquatic plants, live rock, sponges and other aquatic invertebrates

for human consumption (seafood), stockers for other farms, stockers for conservation or recreational fishing, display or companion animals (ornamentals), and other products, including pearls, skins, shells, eggs, chemicals and pigments

wild caught, hatchery or nursery reared.

Benefits may include:

environmental, which may result from:

better control of water quality variables within acceptable range

less contaminants

multi-purpose facilities, such as polyculture, aquaponics and hydroponics

reduced waste to remove or treat

reduced expenses, which may result from:

improved food conversion in stock

less manipulation of water quality variables or stock culture or holding structures

less waste to be treated or removed

more efficient energy use

reduced labour requirement for feeding activities.

Stock condition may include:

colour

fullness

general appearance

maturation condition

meat yield

shape

size

weight.

Range of conditions may include:

disease or parasite infestation

feeding history

life cycle phase

pest activity

predator activity

seasonal influences

stock density

time of day

water flow or water management practices

water quality characteristics

weather, climate.

Approach may include:

augmentation (fertilisation) of culture water to increase food levels

feed delivery and feeding behaviour

provision of formulated or supplementary feeds

provision of live or cultured feeds

selection of sites for extensive (natural) feeding.

Stock culture or holding environment may include:

closed (recirculation) systems

open

semi-closed.

Stock testing may include:

condition factor

dissections

food conversion ratios

general appearance

growth rates

nutritional profile of carcass or meat

on site or off site

proximate analysis of carcass, meat and yield.

Remedial action may include adjustments to:

feed delivery

feed scheduling

ingredients or formulations

stocking densities

water management practices.


Sectors

Unit sector

Aquaculture operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor