Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and managing the crew and vessel during fishing operations.

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 to the fishing 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.

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. Manage crew during fishing operations

1.1. Sufficient qualified and competent crew  members are marshalled at the worksite prior to beginning operations.

1.2. Crew members are fully informed by clear, timely and accurate communication  of their responsibilities at all stages of the fishing operation.

1.3. Activities are coordinated into a sequence that ensures safe and efficient operation.

1.4. Unsafe, environmentally hazardous or inefficient practices are identified and rectified.

1.5. Abnormal situations  are recognised and crew is promptly and clearly instructed to minimise the danger to crew and vessel and the disruption to operations.

2. Control the vessel during fishing operations

2.1. Safety  of the vessel and crew is maintained.

2.2. Vessel is orientated according to fishing operations, wind, sea and current to maximise safety.

2.3. Fishing operation is positioned to minimise interference with others.

2.4. Vessel speed is controlled according to fishing operations and prevailing weather and sea conditions at all stages of the operation to maximise safety.

2.5. Effects of abnormal situations on crew, environment and vessel safety and disruption to operations are minimised.

2.6. Vessel stability is maximised  during all stages of the fishing operation.

3. Manage the compliance with regulations

3.1. Crew is managed to comply with all relevant regulations.

3.2. Catch reporting systems are used according to fisheries regulations.

3.3. Vessel monitoring systems are used according to fisheries regulations.

3.4. Advice  is offered to develop industry policy , regulations and procedures .

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• conducting a safe and efficient operation
• consulting and incorporating appropriate regulations into work practices
• controlling the vessel and crew in any particular fishing operation
• identifying fishing operations by vessel recognition and gear identification features
• organising personnel into an efficient operation
• providing oral and written instructions for routine and emergency situations by day, night and in varying weather conditions.

Literacy skills used for :

• consulting regulations
• providing written instructions.

Numeracy skills used for :

• reading gear identification numbers
• reading vessel identification numbers.

Required knowledge 

• communication systems, including hand signals
• crew numbers required for safe operation
• dimensions and likely movement of other fishing operations encountered
• effects of loading on stability
• effects of vessel orientation on vessel movement and stability
• requirements for safe working
• techniques and procedures for dealing with abnormal operating conditions
• usual locations of gear identification features
• vessel speed requirements for fishing operations and safety.

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:

• ensure compliance with relevant regulations and manage the crew and vessel during fishing operations
• conduct a safe and efficient fishing operation under varying conditions and situations
• deal with abnormal situations
• coexist with other fishing operations.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• relevant regulations
• operating principles of gear common to the operational area.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

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

Resources may include:

• fully operational fishing vessel confronting a wide range of situations.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• logs of fishing operations
• journal of reflections on responses to abnormal conditions
• portfolio of management-related records, documents and reports.

Supplementary evidence can be gathered from:

• third-party reports
• minutes and meeting reports
• interview.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with SFIFISH401C Locate fishing grounds and stocks of fish, 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.

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

• business or workplace operations, policies and practices:

• commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices
• consumer law
• corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting
• disability policies and practices
• equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment
• industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and share of catch agreements
• jurisdictional variations
• superannuation
• taxation
• trade practices
• warnings and dismissals
• worker's compensation

• ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions, and other compliance requirements including:

• Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
• international treaties and agreements

• food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
• Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
• imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
• 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

• 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

• OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• product quality assurance:

• correct naming and labelling (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.

Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures  may include:

• Australian Shellfish Sanitation program
• display, packaging and sale of food, including seafood and aquatic products
• equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance
• exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders
• handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products
• 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:

• controlling the use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
• managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• managing imported products quarantine and inspection, facility biosecurity, translocation of livestock and genetic material, and health certification
• managing stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter
• managing sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection requirements, such as size limits, quotas, season restrictions, population dynamics, fishing impacts, reducing by-catch, fisheries management strategies and maintaining biodiversity
• 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 organisms 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 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).

Crew  may include:

• deckhands
• engineers
• mates.

Communication  may include:

• hand signals
• sound signals:

• for shooting gear
• hauling gear
• lifting of load unsighted

• verbal.

Abnormal situations  may include:

• abnormal loads
• coming fast
• emergency retrieval of gear
• fouling of gear
• lost gear
• severe weather.

Safety  may include:

• within safe, navigable waters
• within the limits of crew competence
• within the limits of the vessel's size, power and condition
• within the range of prevailing and anticipated weather conditions appropriate to the vessel.

Stability  may be maximised by

• controlling free surface
• controlling water tight integrity
• docking a vessel
• freeing water from decks
• lifting and distributing heavy weights
• reserving freeboard.

Advice  may include:

• training crew members
• raising and having input into issues with industry or government delegates
• completing industry surveys
• participating in port or commodity group meetings
• participating in state, territory or national policy development meetings.

Industry policy , regulations and procedures  may include:

• enterprise policy and procedures
• industry codes of practice
• management enforcement policy and regulations
• resource management policy
• skills and qualifications development.

Unit sector 

Fishing operations

Co-requisite units 

Competency field