Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves the skills required by a skipper/coxswain of a vessel used for limited fishing charter operations where the fishing charter trip is of one day or less duration in coastal, bay and inland waters. This unit does not cover skills required to operate and maintain a small vessel.

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 

This unit has application for fishers who choose to undertake fishing charter operations. The unit can be undertaken as an elective in fishing operations sector qualifications or as a fishing charter Skill Set along with the units:

• SFIFCHA301C Develop information and advice on fishing charter trips
• SFIFCHA501C Plan and manage extended fishing charter trips
• SFIFISH206C Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve hand operated lines to land catch
• SFIFISH310A Adjust and position fishing gear
• SFIFISH401C Locate fishing grounds and stocks of fish.

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. Manoeuvre fishing charter vessel to assist catching

1.1. Vessel is positioned according to prevailing conditions  to enhance the fishing operation and minimise line entanglement.

1.2. Anchoring and mooring techniques  are used to enhance the fishing operation.

1.3. Vessel is manoeuvred to assist the retrieval, tagging or landing of large species.

2. Instruct customer in fishing techniques

2.1. Briefings are developed and delivered at times that maximise customer understanding, security and satisfaction.

2.2. Level of customer skill and knowledge is determined by observation and questioning.

2.3. Instructions  are planned and structured to suit customer ability.

2.4. Instructions are offered to the customer in an effective manner.

3. Land, tag and dispose of catch

3.1. Catches are landed on the vessel using appropriate equipment and techniques  that minimise damage and stress caused to the fish and risk of injury to the handler.

3.2. Tagging equipment is used to apply a tag according to enterprise guidelines.

3.3. Catch is disposed of according to enterprise guidelines and in compliance with all environmental legislation and other legal requirements.

4. Conduct activities to minimise impact on the environment

4.1. Charter operations are conducted in ways designed to limit potential negative impacts  on the marine and coastal environments.

4.2. Customers are advised of environmental issues.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• adjusting communication style and presenting information to suit customer diversity
• communicating with customers to:

• advise to environmental issues
• brief on security and topics of interest
• instruct on fishing techniques

• deploying anchoring equipment specific to a charter fishing operation
• handling traces when landing large species
• removing hooks from fish to be released
• using gaffs or tagging equipment
• using vessel manoeuvring techniques.

Literacy skills used for :

• preparing briefings to be presented orally to customers.

Required knowledge 

• anchoring and mooring techniques appropriate to varying bottom types
• legislation relevant to fishing charter operation, such as environmental management, occupational health and safety (OHS) and fisheries management regulations
• techniques for catching, landing, tagging and disposing of catch
• techniques that control the drift of a vessel
• the effect of wind and current on the vessel when drifting and at anchor.

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 ability to:

• manoeuvre and position a vessel to conduct successful fishing
• land fish or tag and release fish as required
• communicate instructions, advice and information of interest to customer.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• anchoring and mooring techniques
• effect of current and wind on hook and line position
• fish catching, landing and releasing techniques
• techniques that control vessel drift.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

• customers
• operational charter fishing vessel.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• demonstration
• 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.

Prevailing conditions  may include:

• current
• fish stocks
• wind.

Anchoring and mooring techniques  may include:

• anchor and bridle
• sea anchor
• single point anchor.

Instructions :

• concerning:

• baiting or lures
• fishing technique
• gear rigging
• landing technique

• delivered by:

• demonstration
• oral means
• written instructions.

Equipment  may include:

• gaffs
• gloves
• fishing lines and fishing rods
• hooks and buckets.

Techniques  may include:

• fish handling techniques
• trace handling techniques.

Negative impacts  may include:

• disturbance of flora and fauna
• introduction of exotic or feral species
• physical damage
• pollution
• use of energy
• waste disposal.

Unit sector 

Fishing charter operations

Co-requisite units 

Competency field