Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves overseeing the monitoring and prevention of predators and pests and selecting the appropriate control measures should infestations or problems occur.

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 

The unit has application to cultured or held stock  in an aquaculture or holding facility in the seafood industry, or to an aquascape, display or holding tank in the ornamental or pet sector. The unit has application to those workers who have responsibility for a specific area of work or who lead a work group or team. Skills to coordinate staff are covered by RTE3704A Coordinate worksite activities.

Licences may be required for :

• firearms and powerheads
• use of chemicals, medications and treatments.

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.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Diagnose predator and pest infestations or problems 

1.1. Hazard identification, assessment and risk control procedures for the workplace are implemented and monitored.

1.2. Appropriate PPE is provided, used and maintained.

1.3. Stock are monitored for a range of health problems.

1.4. Where appropriate, injured or unhealthy stock are diagnosed  and checked against specialist advice where doubt exists.

1.5. Professional advice is obtained where the complexity of the problem or the severity of infestation dictates.

1.6. Predator or pest infestations or problems are investigated and stock deaths reported.

1.7. Observations are made which support a systematic and comprehensive analysis of available symptoms.

1.8. Samples are collected for laboratory diagnosis, where necessary, according to laboratory specifications.

1.9. Conclusions drawn from relevant information are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned decisions.

2. Select control measures for the treatment of predators or pests

2.1. Predator or pest control methods  suited to environmental conditions and severity of infestation or problem are selected.

2.2. Preventative measures are selected and implemented, where appropriate, to minimise spread of infestation or problem.

3. Treat affected stock

3.1. Feedback from external analysis of samples is understood.

3.2. Action is taken or medication given according to veterinary guidelines, including obtaining appropriate approval for use of restricted medication.

3.3. Withholding periods of medications are complied with as required.

3.4. Infestations or outbreaks are monitored and progress compared with manufacturer specifications and enterprise industry records.

3.5. Treatment programs are modified, where necessary, and records maintained.

3.6. Senior personnel are notified promptly of significant changes to treatments.

4. Monitor and review post-predator or pest treatment or control activities and operations

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

4.2. Relevant predator or pest treatment or control data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records are checked.

4.3. Compliance and other required reports are prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of predator or pest treatment or control, and recommendations made for improvements.

4.4. Staff are given feedback on their work performance.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying treatments to predators or pests
• assessing signs of stress in stock
• communicating information about predator and pest control activities to staff
• communicating significant changes to treatments to senior personnel
• coordinating controls and staff
• identifying possible improvements
• providing feedback to staff on performance
• reviewing predator or pest control programs
• reviewing risk of predators or pests problems
• reporting orally and in writing on predator and pest control activities and data to senior personnel
• selecting control measures for the treatment of predators or pests.

Literacy skills used for :

• filling out regulatory forms
• interpreting stock health plans, labels and laboratory reports
• labelling samples
• recording information on enterprise data sheets
• writing reports for management.

Numeracy skills used for :

• analysing the cost-effectiveness of medication/chemical usage
• calculating dose rates for medication/chemicals
• estimating infestation severity
• weights and volumes.

Required knowledge 

• alternate combinations of treatment methodologies
• characteristics, signs and symptoms of predators or pest infestations of cultured or held stock
• chemical and non-chemical control measures
• common types and causes of environmental diseases
• ESD principles
• importance of good water quality and correct nutrition
• life cycles and behaviour of predators or pests
• local, regional and state or territory-based priorities for the use of chemicals in the control of infestations
• location/availability of expert assistance
• normal/abnormal stock behaviour
• notifiable diseases and associated regulatory requirements
• options for exclusion and scaring methods which do not deliberately harm predators and pests
• relevant OHS, food safety and ESD requirements relating to overseeing the control of predators and pests
• treatment and control methodologies, stock behaviour characteristics and withholding periods of various common treatment programs.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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:

• organise staff assisting with predator or pest control
• select control methods in line with enterprise guidelines
• respond to outbreaks of pests or attack by predators in such a way as to minimise loss or harm to stock
• protect or prevent stock being harmed by predators or pests.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• characteristics, signs and symptoms of predator attacks or pest infestations on cultured or held stock
• life cycles and behaviour of families of predators
• life cycles and physiology of families of pests
• methods for prevention and control of outbreaks of predators or pests.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment and should reflect the range of controls and preventative measures used on predators or pests typically threatening cultured or held stock in the local area.

Resources may include:

• culture or holding structures and stock
• equipment for controlling or preventing predators or pests from harming stock
• treatments or products used in the control of predators or pests
• microscopes and dissecting instruments
• research reference material
• staff to coordinate.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• case study analysis
• project (work or scenario based)
• research assignment
• written or oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with RTE3704A Coordinate worksite activities, and 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.

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.

Relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements  may include:

• biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
• biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
• Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
• business or workplace operations, policies and practices
• ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
• health and welfare of aquatic animals
• Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
• 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
• handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (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)
• processing, further processing and preparation of food including seafood and aquatic products
• 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
• control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
• control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, stock health maintenance
• improving energy efficiency
• increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
• minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
• preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
• reducing energy use
• reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
• reducing use of non-renewable resources
• undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
• using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality

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)
• 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 outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
• respirator or face mask
• safety harness
• sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
• uniforms or overalls
• waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).

Predator and pest infestations or problems  may be:

• airborne, terrestrial or water based
• amphibians, teleosts, reptiles, birds, elasmobranches and mammals
• competitors (e.g. food, space, shelter and oxygen)
• fouling organisms
• human (e.g. poachers)
• organisms which negatively impact on the production of the cultured or held stock
• plants (e.g. weeds), seaweed and micro-algae
• starfish, crustaceans, jellyfish, insects and other invertebrates.

Diagnosed  may be by:

• dissection of stock
• microscope, binocular or stage
• visual inspection.

Predator control methods  may include:

• airguns and other auditory measures
• biological deterrence (e.g. hawks and dogs)
• elimination (e.g. firearms and powerheads) or chemical bait or poisoning
• human activity
• netting, fences and exclusion devices, and barriers (mechanical or electrical)
• reduce stress (e.g. provide cover, hides, shelters and habitat)
• scare lines and kites
• traps, capture and relocation.

Pest control methods  may include:

• biological control (e.g. cleaner fish)
• chemical barriers (e.g. foot baths)
• chemical control
• disinfection of equipment
• exclusion, trapping and poisoning
• filtration and ozonation or water treatment
• medication in food
• reduce stress (e.g. provide cover, hides, shelters and habitat).

Unit sector 

Aquaculture operations

Co-requisite units 

Competency field