Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to validate logbook data on fishing operations and collect other scientific information for research and resource management purposes. It requires the ability to plan work around commercial fishing activities, record observations and conduct on-shore reporting.

This unit applies to observers who are placed on-board designated fishing vessels by an authority, to monitor and record fishing operations for research purposes.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Fisheries Observer (OBS)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=e31d8c6b-1608-4d77-9f71-9ee749456273

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has, on one occasion, planned, conducted and recorded monitoring activities for at least one fishing operation, including:

• engaging vessel crew in cooperating with the collection and interpretation of information
• performing checks, measurements and sampling to validate fishing operation records and catches
• identifying unusual or irregular events and suggesting possible causes and effects that may have implications for fisheries research and management
• reporting and debriefing on fishing activity, catch, effort and other relevant information.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• basic environmental management legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the specific sector within the seafood industry
• commercial fisheries and unique aspects relevant to the fishery, sector or geographic area
• data collection, measurement and sampling methodologies
• fisheries management methodologies and associated data requirements
• fisheries research methodologies and the application of scientific data
• communication systems at sea
• relationship of observation activities to fisheries management processes
• species, product, work regime and typical equipment used.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• skills must be demonstrated in a fishing operation monitoring setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• relevant documentation
• data collection plans and recording forms
• equipment and materials for checking operations and product

• specifications:

• access to legislation and regulations relevant to fishing operation monitoring activities
• workplace procedures for conducting observations.

• relationships:

• evidence of interactions with skipper and vessel crew.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=e31d8c6b-1608-4d77-9f71-9ee749456273