Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:22 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve trawls to land catch

Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve trawls to land catch

Unit of competency
National Code
SFIFISH203C
State Code
D9217
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
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
40
Description
This unit of competency involves maintaining and preparing demersal fish or prawn trawls ready for deployment and retrieving the gear to the vessel. The unit also involves the initial aspects of seafood handling specific to trawling 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 trawls ready for deployment
  • 1.1. Trawl is checked against established criteria according to the vessel maintenance plan and supervisor's instructions.
  • 1.2. Trawl components which are defective are identified and either reconditioned or replaced.
  • 1.3. Replacement gear components are ordered.
  • 1.4. Defective trawl components are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
2. Deploy trawls
  • 2.1. Trawl components are connected in the configuration required by the fishing method according to instructions from a supervisor.
  • 2.2. Machinery to deploy the trawls from the vessel is used according to supervisor's instructions.
  • 2.3. Trawl is deployed to ensure it is not twisted or fouled.
  • 2.4. Devices and systems are deployed to ensure operating efficiency and to reduce environmental impact and interaction with by-catch.
  • 2.5. Trawl storage area is cleaned.
3. Retrieve trawls
  • 3.1. Trawls are guided onto winches according to instructions from supervisor.
  • 3.2. Ropes are hauled using capstans and Gilson winches according to supervisor's instructions.
  • 3.3. Cod ends are controlled, emptied and retied according to instructions from supervisor.
  • 3.4. Trawl is 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).
Trawl may mean:
prawn trawls:
banana prawn-type gear
tiger prawn-type gear
demersal fish trawls:
otter board trawls
Danish seines
beam trawls.
Trawl is checked for:
by-catch reduction devices and lifting gear
connecting devices for wear
rips, holes and worn netting
symmetry of:
bridles
foot ropes
ground gear
head ropes
sweeps
warps
security of hangings for net and lashings for ground gear and floatation.
Criteria may include:
absence
cracks
distortion
internal and external damage to wire and rope
looseness
wear limit.
Components may include:
by-catch reduction devices
cod-end closures:
chain knot (prawn nets)
zipper
hangman's knot
Dutch clip
connecting devices:
shackles
hammerlocks
chain
wires
ropes
Clevis pin connectors
G, C, D and sister clips
floatation devices
ground gear
hangings
lifting gear
netting material
otter boards
sweeps and bridles
warps.
Reconditioned may include:
all components (except for the netting material)
chain measured and replaced
connecting devices inspected and replaced
wire rope measured and re-spliced.
Machinery may include:
capstans
lifting gear:
hydraulically operated crane
mast and boom
block and tackle
lazy line (Gilson) winches
net
net drums
sounder winches
warp winches.
Used may include:
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:
bulk
net bags
fish or prawn boxes:
exchangeable market boxes
freezing cartons
wash boxes
ice rooms
pounded deck areas
sorting trays.
Prepared may include:
boxes sufficient for sorting are arranged ergonomically
brine tank hatches, net bags and hanging frame deployed
cleaned
disinfected
exchangeable market boxes are accounted for
freezer carton liners applied
freezing cartons assembled.
Sorted may include:
as by-catch
as seafood or bait 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:
maintain and prepare demersal fish or prawn trawling gear ready for deployment, and to retrieve the gear to the vessel
prepare, deploy and retrieve common trawl gear components
sort and contain the catch
handle and sort seafood with regard to food safety and hygiene, and food quality
stowed safely, and in readiness for future deployment.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
criteria for assessing the quality of gear components
order in which trawl 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 fish or prawn trawler 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
S4222 SFIFISH203B Maintain, prepare, deploy and retrieve trawls to land catch Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAR64 SFIFSH203 Use trawls to land catch Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W985 SFI20211 Certificate II in Fishing Operations Qualification