Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:15 PM AWST

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Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve drop lines and long lines to land catch

Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve drop lines and long lines to land catch

Unit of competency
National Code
SFIFISH205C
State Code
D9219
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/07/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/02/2012
Field of Education
050799 - Fisheries Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
28/02/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit of competency involves maintaining and preparing drop line and longline fishing gear ready for deployment, and retrieving gear to the vessel. The unit also involves the initial aspects of handling seafood specific to line 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maintain drop lines and longlines ready for deployment
  • 1.1. Drop lines and longlines are checked against established criteria according to vessel maintenance plan or instructions provided by a supervisor.
  • 1.2. Drop line and longline components which are worn, loose or blunt are identified and either reconditioned or replaced.
  • 1.3. Replacement drop line and longline components are ordered
  • 1.4. Defective drop line and longline components are disposed of.
2. Deploy drop lines and longlines
  • 2.1. Drop line and longline components are prepared and gathered ready for deployment.
  • 2.2. Drop line and longline components are connected in the configuration required by the fishing method according to instructions from a supervisor.
  • 2.3. Machinery is used to deploy the drop line and longline from the vessel according to instructions from supervisors.
  • 2.4. Drop line and longline floats, dan poles and weights are deployed to ensure gear is not fouled.
  • 2.5. Clips, branch lines and snoods are baited and connected to drop lines and longlines to minimise fouling and twisting according to instructions from supervisors.
  • 2.6. Devices and systems are deployed to ensure operating efficiency and to reduce environmental impact and interaction with by-catch.
  • 2.7. Drop line and longline storage area and containers are cleaned.
3. Retrieve drop lines and longlines
  • 3.1. Floats and dan poles are gathered and secured.
  • 3.2. Lines are applied to hauling devices and are loaded into containers for stowing according to supervisor's instructions.
  • 3.3. Clips, branch lines and snoods are disconnected from lines and the catch is secured according to instructions from supervisor.
  • 3.4. Drop lines and longlines are disconnected and stowed to ensure ease of deployment, the safety of crew and a safe working area.
4. Land, contain and sort the catch
  • 4.1. Containment devices are prepared to receive the catch.
  • 4.2. Catch is loaded into containment devices.
  • 4.3. Catch is sorted to maximise by-catch survival and seafood quality.
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:
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
correct marketing names and labelling
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
health and welfare of aquatic animals
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
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 and other risk minimisation 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
temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
controlling effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
controlling weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
reducing energy use
reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
reducing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling of 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)
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).
Drop lines and longlines may include:
bottom set longlines
drop lines
monofilament gear
rope gear
surface longlines:
tuna
other species
trot lines
Drop lines and longlines are checked for:
broken, blunt or bent components
by-catch reduction devices
ropes for wear
security of connecting devices, knots and lashings.
Criteria may include:
absence
cracks
distortion
internal and external damage to rope
looseness
sharpness of hooks
wear limit.
Components may include:
bait
ballast
branch lines or snoods
by-catch reduction devices
hooks
detection devices:
flag poles
lights
RADAR reflectors
radio transponders
connecting devices
floats
main lines
retrieval devices.
Reconditioned may include:
bait replaced
clips straightened
connections re-tied, re-spliced or re-collared
hooks sharpened
lines coiled and uncoiled as required
ropes re-spliced.
Machinery may include:
auto line systems
deploying devices:
line drum
line shooter
bait thrower
line basket
lifting gear:
hydraulically operated crane
mast and boom
block and tackle
retrieval devices:
capstan
line drum
line hauler
branch line coiler
gaff
play lines.
Used may mean:
fishing gear is connected to the machinery
gear is guided onto machinery operated by other personnel
machinery is operated under supervision.
Containment devices may include:
brine tanks:
kill tanks
ice slurry
fish boxes:
wash boxes
exchangeable market boxes
freezing cartons
'coffins'
fish handling and sorting areas
freshwater tanks
ice rooms
pounded deck areas.
Prepared may mean:
boxes sufficient for sorting are arranged ergonomically
brine tank hatches arranged
cleaned
disinfected
exchangeable market boxes are accounted for
freezer carton liners applied
freezing cartons assembled.
Sorted may include:
as by-catch
as seafood for retention
by legal length
by sex:
male or female
sexual stage
by size
by species.
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:
handle and sort seafood with regard to food safety and hygiene, and food quality
maintain and prepare drop line and longline fishing gear ready for deployment, and to retrieve the gear to the vessel
prepare, deploy and retrieve common gear components
renew and repair damaged gear components
sort and contain the catch.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
criteria for assessing the quality of gear components
order in which gear components are connected and disconnected
principles of personal and vessel hygiene.
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 drop line or longline fishing vessel with catch suitable for sorting.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
observation of practical demonstration
practical exercises
project work
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S4224 SFIFISH205B Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve drop lines and long lines to land catch Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W985 SFI20211 Certificate II in Fishing Operations Qualification