Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to catch aquatic animals , in a survival situation.

The individual is not expected to be an expert fisherperson, but rather, to have sufficient skills and knowledge to obtain, where possible, a measure of sustenance from waterways  in order to enhance their chances of survival

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare improvised fishing resources 

1.1 Improvised tackle  is assembled from natural resources  and basic survival resources 

1.2 Natural fish -stunning agents  are identified and prepared

1.3 Tackle is baited using locally acquired insects and animals appropriate to the type of aquatic animal being sought

2. Conduct fishing operation 

2.1 Location and timing of fishing operation optimises the chances of success without exposing the fisherman to environmental dangers 

2.2 Basic fishing techniques  are applied to attract the desired aquatic animal to strike

2.3 Hooked aquatic animals are landed efficiently without exposing the fisherman to environmental dangers

2.4 Tidal pools are sited , and enhanced to trap aquatic animals during tidal ranges

2.5 Captured aquatic animals are handled and dispatched, gutted and filleted safely in order to reduce danger to self, and undesirable/poisonous fish are removed from catch

2.6 Guts are examined to identify fish's preferred diet with the aim of targeting particular species and re-investing offal and off-cuts in ongoing fishing operations

2.7 Techniques for maintaining aquatic animals in fresh condition  are implemented until required for consumption

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• awareness of aquatic predators
• recognise dangerous aquatic animals
• use knives safely

Required Knowledge 

• ciguatera poisoning signs and symptoms
• dangerous aquatic animals (e.g. stone/toad/lion/angelfish)
• knife safety

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to site an appropriate fishing location which optimises the chances of success while minimising the environmental stresses and hazards; to site and construct a functional tidal pool of at least 2 m2  surface area; and to maintain a landed fish either by tethering or depositing in an enclosed pool.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of fishing activities that could be expected in a survival situation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment.

While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to catch aquatic animals, doing so in a survival situation is crucial; consequently it is strongly recommended that holistic assessment be conducted with other associated survival units.

Assessment under simulated survival conditions should include:

• food restrictions (food should be restricted to half the recommended daily caloric intake)
• the absence of normal living conditions and amenities such as showers, beds and bedding (warmth to be provided by fire), kitchens etc. with the attendant levels of personal discomfort and fatigue
• a significant period of time - the recommendation is four days.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to a suitable assessment area, fishing hooks (maximum of five) and fishing line (maximum of five metres).

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Aquatic animals may include 

Amphibians (e.g. turtle, tortoise, frog, crocodile)

Crustacea (e.g. yabbi, lobster, crab)

Fish

Shellfish

Waterways may include 

Estuaries

Inland lakes and other enclosed waterways (e.g. billabong)

Ocean/sea

Improvised tackle may include 

Float

Hook

Line

Rod

Sinker

Natural resources may include 

Bark

Feathers

Sticks

Stones

Survival resources include 

Fish-hooks and line

Wire

Fish-stunning agents may include 

Amaryllidaceae

Convolvulaceae

Dioscoreaceae

Lamiaceae

Lecythidaceae

Liliaceae

Papilionaceae

Sapindaceae

Scrophulariaceae

Solanaceae

Verbenaceae

Environmental dangers may include 

Attack from predators (e.g. crocodile, shark)

Being smashed against rocks from surf

Drowning

Hypothermia and heatstroke

Rising tides

Fishing techniques may include 

Dragging

Hand-line fishing/jigging

Jiggling

Throwing burley

Siting tidal pools includes making use of 

Inlets

Natural constrictions

Techniques for maintaining aquatic animals in fresh condition may include 

Tethering

Transferral to keeping receptacle/pool

Wrapping in wet cloth (e.g. shirt)

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil