Assessor Resource

SFIAQU212
Operate and maintain a recirculating aquaculture system

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate, monitor and maintain a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to keep water quality and environmental conditions within specified ranges for cultured or held stock.

The unit applies to individuals who carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs on the water treatment components of a recirculating aquaculture system as used in the seafood industry and within an aquascape or holding tank in the ornamental or pet sector, under the direction of a supervisor.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has safely operated and maintained at least one recirculating aquaculture system on at least one occasion, including:

communicating with and reporting to supervisor about the operation and maintenance of water treatment components

fitting and adjusting personal protective equipment

carrying out the required maintenance and repairs to components

carrying out routine monitoring and checks of equipment, flow rates and water quality

completing accurate records on the operation and maintenance of water treatment components

cleaning work area and storing tools and equipment after maintenance and repair activities.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

basic relationship of inputs (stock, feed, energy, water and labour) to outputs (wastes, product and water quality)

overview of complexity of system and interrelationship of components

environmental and biosecurity regulatory requirements

conditions likely to impact on water flow

health and safety relevant to operating and maintaining water treatment components

operation and maintenance of automatic or mechanised equipment

features of water quality and optimal and critical limits for various parameters and non-standard conditions.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

skills must be demonstrated in an aquaculture workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

basic tools and equipment to complete repairs and maintenance

equipment to operate the system and maintain water quality

personal protective equipment

recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with high technology components

spare parts and repair materials

water monitoring equipment

data or recording sheets

specifications:

specific instructions, work plan or schedule and workplace procedures for operating and maintaining high technology water treatment components

relationships:

evidence of interactions with supervisor.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has safely operated and maintained at least one recirculating aquaculture system on at least one occasion, including:

communicating with and reporting to supervisor about the operation and maintenance of water treatment components

fitting and adjusting personal protective equipment

carrying out the required maintenance and repairs to components

carrying out routine monitoring and checks of equipment, flow rates and water quality

completing accurate records on the operation and maintenance of water treatment components

cleaning work area and storing tools and equipment after maintenance and repair activities.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

basic relationship of inputs (stock, feed, energy, water and labour) to outputs (wastes, product and water quality)

overview of complexity of system and interrelationship of components

environmental and biosecurity regulatory requirements

conditions likely to impact on water flow

health and safety relevant to operating and maintaining water treatment components

operation and maintenance of automatic or mechanised equipment

features of water quality and optimal and critical limits for various parameters and non-standard conditions.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

skills must be demonstrated in an aquaculture workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

basic tools and equipment to complete repairs and maintenance

equipment to operate the system and maintain water quality

personal protective equipment

recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with high technology components

spare parts and repair materials

water monitoring equipment

data or recording sheets

specifications:

specific instructions, work plan or schedule and workplace procedures for operating and maintaining high technology water treatment components

relationships:

evidence of interactions with supervisor.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Receive and confirm instructions with supervisor on water treatment components' operational requirements 
Select, fit and adjust personal protective equipment as required 
Locate and carry out routine pre-operational checks of components of the recirculating aquaculture system according to workplace procedure 
Detect faulty components and report to supervisor 
Identify abnormal operating and environmental conditions within the culture or holding structures or systems, and report to supervisor 
Operate automatic or mechanised equipment according to workplace procedures 
Measure critical flow rates and other water quality parameters, and record data according to workplace procedures 
Adjust operating components to optimise conditions for the culture or holding species 
Check and test backup components for operational capacity 
Report abnormal or non-standard conditions, and other risks, to supervisor 
Confirm work plan or schedule, environmental and biosecurity regulations, risks and contingency plans with supervisor 
Collect basic tools, equipment, including personal protective equipment, spare parts and repair materials and take to worksite 
Make basic repairs to sub-standard equipment and calibrate equipment following safe work practices 
Service components and replace or repair worn or damaged parts or components according to supervisor instructions 
Return components and water supply and disposal systems to working order 
Check system for serviceability and performance, and report problems to supervisor 
Clean work area and dispose of waste materials safely according to workplace procedures 
Check and store tools and equipment, reporting any identified repair requirements to supervisor 
Record relevant data and observations, and report any abnormal records to supervisor 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SFIAQU212 - Operate and maintain a recirculating aquaculture system
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SFIAQU212 - Operate and maintain a recirculating aquaculture system

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: