Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency involves operating, monitoring and manipulating a range of high technology water treatment components to keep water quality and environmental conditions within specified ranges for cultured or held stock . Tasks are undertaken under the direct instructions of a supervisor. The unit also involves carrying out routine maintenance and minor repairs on these components, including non-scheduled (emergency) maintenance or repairs. It covers interpreting instructions for operating equipment appropriately, and recording and communicating results and observations to supervisors. The operation of other equipment and infrastructure, and feeding, health management, handling, harvesting and post-harvest activities, including chemical adjustments for pH (acid/alkaline balance) control, are covered in other aquaculture, seafood processing and seafood sales and distribution units of competency. 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 of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit has application to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) which have high technology water treatment components as are used in the seafood industry and within an aquascape or holding tank in the ornamental or pet sector. 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. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare to operate high technology water treatment components |
1.1. High technology water treatment components of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS ) and other aquaculture equipment and infrastructure are identified and confirmed against a work plan or schedule or other workplace instructions. 1.2. Designated tasks at the work site are prioritised and instructions are confirmed with supervisor. 1.3. Routine pre -operational checks and calibrations of components are carried out according to manufacturer specifications. 1.4. Faulty components are identified, safety tagged, if they cannot be fixed or replaced, and reported to supervisor. 1.5. Abnormal or non -standard conditions within the culture or holding structures or systems are reported following pre-operational checks. 1.6. Changes in environmental parameters or water quality parameters associated with the operation and maintenance of components are identified, assessed and reported to supervisor. |
2. Operate and monitor high technology water treatment components |
2.1. Automatic or mechanised equipment is operated and maintained. 2.2. Critical flow rates and other water quality parameters are measured and recorded for performance and efficiency. 2.3. Adjustments to operating components are undertaken under supervision to optimise conditions for the culture or holding species. 2.4. Backup components are checked and tested for operational capacity. 2.5. Abnormal or non-standard conditions and other risks are reported. |
3. Maintain and repair high technology water treatment components |
3.1. Work plan or schedule of required maintenance and repairs is confirmed with supervisor. 3.2. Potential risks to stock are identified and contingency plans confirmed with supervisor. 3.3. Basic tools and equipment and spare parts and repair materials are collected, assessed as serviceable, and taken to worksite. 3.4. Components are serviced under supervision according to manufacturer guidelines. 3.5. Worn or damaged parts or areas are replaced or repaired as instructed using repair techniques and spare parts and repair materials appropriate for the task. 3.6. Components and water supply and disposal systems are returned to working order. 3.7. System is checked for serviceability and performance, and problems are rectified or reported to supervisor. |
4. Finalise operation, monitoring and maintenance activities |
4.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised and condition report prepared. 4.2. Relevant monitoring and maintenance 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 monitoring and maintenance, and recommendations made for improvements. 4.4. Feedback on own work performance is sought from supervisor and opportunities to improve identified. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Literacy skills used for :
Numeracy skills used for :
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit |
Assessment must confirm ability to
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. It should cover the operation of a RAS typically used in aquaculture, holding or ornamental facilities in the region. Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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Guidance information for assessment |
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Cultured or held stock may include: |
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Relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements may include: |
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OHS guidelines may include: |
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Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include: |
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ESD principles may include: |
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PPE may include: |
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High technology water treatment components may include: |
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A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS ) is: |
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Other aquaculture equipment and infrastructure may include: |
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Work plan or schedule may include information on: |
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Worksite may include: |
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Routine pre -operational checks and calibrations may include: |
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Abnormal or non -standard conditions may include: |
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Culture or holding structures or systems may include: |
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Environmental parameters may include: |
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Water quality parameters may include: |
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Adjustments to operating components may include: |
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Other risks may include those associated with: |
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Contingency plans to address: |
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Basic tools and equipment may include: |
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Spare parts and repair materials may include: |
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Worn or damaged parts or areas may include: |
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Repair techniques may include: |
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Records or reports may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Aquaculture operations |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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Competency field
Competency field |