Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Data requirements:
· quantity and species of catch:
· number
· weight
· percentage of bin
· per shot
· per day
· size
· location (latitude and longitude) and distance from significant port of landmark
· time and date
· fishing methods
· catch retained and discarded
· number and species of by-catch, including per shot and per day
· number and species of seabirds and marine mammals
· environmental conditions:
· temperature
· pH
· tides and currents
· phase of moon
· bottom type
· vessel characteristics:
· horsepower
· length
· electronic equipment
· communications equipment
· fishing effort:
· long line rigging
· hook size
· bait
· snood length
· sex of fish
· gonad state
· measurements
· sampling.

Estimations:
· quantity, including number and total or percentage weight of species
· size, including length and weight of species
· distance
· sex
· gonad state
· seabird activity:
· numbers
· species
· level of interest or disinterest
· diving
· distance from vessel.

Record sheets:
· logbooks that may be required as a condition of a permit
· sampling sheets for industry research purposes
· company-initiated reports
· specific research project data sheets
· receival dockets.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· commercial fisheries and unique aspects relevant to the enterprise, sector or geographic area
· species, product, work regime and typical equipment used
· basic biological features of target species and likely by-catch
· broad knowledge of ecologically sustainable development principles and practices
· purposes of fisheries management data collection
· broad scientific principles that influence the design of data collection systems.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· identifying a range of species, other seafood/aquatic products and equipment and resources relevant to the enterprise, sector or geographic area
· measuring and estimating catch, effort, candidates and other variables that may explain the outcomes of fishing activity.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading instructions
· completing data sheets.

Numeracy skills for:
· estimating and calculating:
· weight
· number
· length
· distance
· time.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· collect and record fisheries management data in an accurate and timely manner, and in accordance with pre-set requirements
· accept responsibility for the validity of data and records.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit is best assessed in conjunction with other units relating to data collection and the on-board observation of fishing activity.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· written or oral short-answer questions to assess underpinning knowledge
· completed work documents
· observation of data collection activities
· third-party reports from fishery managers and scientific personnel.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· data collection forms.