Elements and Performance Criteria

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
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and 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.
ESD principles may include:
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing energy use
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
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:
hard hat or protective head covering
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons).
Algae or live-feed culture may include:
aquatic plants
brine shrimp (Artemia and Parartemia)
copepods
Daphnia
feeder fish, usually goldfish or other inexpensive fish (check state/territory animal welfare laws)
infusions and bio-fouling
inoculation or starter culture, usually an axenic monoculture
micro-algae and seaweed (various species)
mosquitoes, beetles or other insect (adult or larvae)
nematodes
polychaetes, oligochaetes and other worms
rotifers
zooplankton.
Production schedule may include:
culture method to be used:
batch
semi-continuous
continuous
enrichment of natural waters
production vessel or structure to be used
quality, including bacteria free, growth rate, size and age
quantities (i.e. cells/ml, organisms/ml) or weights
types of cultures, including species, sizes and ages
written instructions and work procedures.
Production vessel or structure may include:
concrete or earthen ponds
fibreglass or plastic tanks
glassware
plastic bags
plastic-lined pools.
Other equipment may include:
aeration
air filters
autoclave
bottle plugs
counters and microscopes
flexible tubing
greenhouses or hothouses
lights
measuring cylinders
pipettes and syringes
production vessel holder
temperature-controlled room
washing and sterilising equipment
water filtration equipment.
Treated water may include:
aeration
chemical (e.g. change pH and hardness)
chlorination and de-chlorination
heating or cooling
micro-filtration
pre-conditioning (e.g. left to stand with or without aeration)
ultraviolet (UV) and ozone.
Nutriments may include:
feeds, including micro-algae, pellets, powders and emulsions
enrichment formulae
green water
nutrients, fertilisers or other chemicals.
Physio-chemical requirements of the culture organism may include:
carbon dioxide
chemical, mechanical or biological filtration
dissolved oxygen
hardness
light
nitrogenous wastes and contaminants
pH
salinity
temperature
water flow.
Culture period may include:
one to several days for brine shrimp
several weeks for micro-algae.
Indicators of culture health may include:
colour
contaminants, including ciliates, males in rotifer cultures and unwanted species in micro-algal cultures
density of organisms (i.e. numbers per litre or millilitre)
feeding activity
flocculation of culture medium
growth
physical appearance
swimming activity.
Wastes may include:
dead or dying organisms
other contaminants, including soil and organic debris
uneaten nutriments.
Harvesting equipment may include:
collection vessels
continuous centrifuge
counters
live feeds:
buckets
nets, sieves or screens (mesh size generally below 100/mm)
micro-algal:
buckets
pumps
siphons
pipettes and measuring cylinders
washing sieves.

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:
follow work procedures and supervisor's instructions for the production process
produce algal or live-feed cultures under routine conditions.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
basic process for effective production of algal or live-feed cultures, including setting up, initiating and breeding, monitoring health and growth, harvesting and cleaning up activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. It should cover the entire process of production, from establishing the culture through to harvesting.

Resources may include:
inoculation cultures and nutriments
production schedule
production vessels
production and harvest equipment
records for documenting algal or live-feed culture production
treated water
work procedures for producing algal or live-feed cultures.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
practical demonstration
project work
written or oral short-answer testing.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.