Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select, catch and collect bait suited to the target species of fish to be caught. It also requires the ability to select appropriate berley for attracting those fish and to maintain live and dead bait for effective future use.

It applies to leaders, guides or instructors, who use these skills when leading participants during fishing activities. Leadership skills are provided in complementary units. The unit can also apply to assistants and support staff.

This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.

Recreational fishing is regulated by specific laws in each Australian state and territory with variable rules. All training and assessment activities must comply with the local, state or territory and international requirements.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Fishing

Unit Sector

Outdoor Recreation

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

• for the particular region or locality in which recreational fishing activities are delivered:

• source, collect and present information in a portfolio or verbal report covering four different species of fish found in the region
• for each of the four species, include information on:

• food sources and feeding habits
• preferred bait for catching the species
• when berley would be used and when it is inappropriate
• contents and different mixes of berley that are appropriate for attracting the species

• complete three sessions to catch or collect bait suited to one or more chosen target species of fish to be caught, and collectively use three of the following methods to catch or collect that bait, as permitted by regulations for the locality:

• use of nets
• use of handlines
• use of rods, reels and line
• use of traps
• use of pumps
• use of hand gathering techniques

• utilise three of the following methods to maintain fresh bait for future use

• use of ice water
• placing of insects in a stocking
• using live bait tanks
• using keep nets
• using wet bags, cloth and sand
• using aerators and or supplying fresh water to fish stored in tubs or pools.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

• organisational safety procedures for fishing activities
• specific to the local Australian state or territory, or international waters, and particular locality, how to source and interpret regulations and permission requirements for recreational fishing:

• areas closed to fishing and bait collection
• types of baits that are permissible and prohibited
• protected species that might otherwise be used as bait
• prohibited bait catching methods
• permissions required from Indigenous communities

• how the use of inappropriate bait can impact on the environment and health of fish and population
• types of inappropriate bait and basic biosecurity measures to limit the spread of pests and diseases
• for different species of fish found in in saltwater, freshwater or brackish habitats within the particular region or locality in which recreational fishing activities are delivered:

• food sources and feeding habits
• preferred bait for catching the species
• when berley would be used and when it is inappropriate
• contents and different mixes of berley for attracting the species:

• plant and marine life from the area
• fish offal
• fish oils
• animal offal
• grain

• general types of bait used to catch fish, their habitats, advantages and disadvantages of use and how the species of targeted fish will affect choice:

• shellfish including prawns and pipis
• fish of different sizes including pilchards and whitebait
• squid
• octopus
• cunjevoi
• yabbies
• worms
• maggots
• mud eyes
• crickets
• grasshoppers
• green weed
• seaweed

• types of manufactured bait, general contents and permissible use
• permitted methods, features and operation of permitted equipment used to catch or collect different types of bait:

• nets
• digging
• dredging
• line fishing
• trapping
• trawling
• worm pumps
• yabby nets
• yabby pumps
• hand gathering

• effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages of using:

• fresh bait
• frozen bait
• manufactured bait

• methods, features and operation of equipment used to keep bait alive and how long live bait can be maintained for effective use:
• methods used to maintain dead or excess bait and how long dead bait can be maintained for effective use:

• freezing and refrigeration
• salting, freeze drying, dehydration and alcohol preservation.

Assessment Conditions

Bait catching skills can be demonstrated in any land or water environment found within the particular region or locality.

The following resources must be available to replicate industry conditions of operation:

• first aid equipment
• communication equipment for emergency response.

Assessment must ensure use of:

• equipment used to catch or collect different types of bait which complies with local regulations for use
• equipment used to keep bait alive and frozen
• organisational safety procedures for fishing activities.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:

• have a collective period of at least three years’ experience as a fishing leader, guide or instructor, where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; the three years’ experience can incorporate full and or part time experience.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b