Assessor Resource

SISOFSH417A
Demonstrate marine offshore fishing skills

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to personnel employed as fishing tour guides, charter boat operators, deck hands, sports fishermen and retail tackle shop employees.

This may include those working for private outdoor adventure companies, volunteer organisations, not for profit organisations, government agencies, or group instructors in outdoor education programs.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to catch fish in blue water and marine offshore reef environments. The unit focuses on identifying fish habitats, selecting tackle, equipment and bait, and applying appropriate fishing techniques, including the safe handling, landing and releasing of blue water fish.

A Recreational Fishing License and maritime permits may apply to this unit, depending on the waters in which the unit is to be assessed. Confirm requirements with the appropriate state department or authority.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

applies safety measures to conduct marine offshore fishing activities and selects safety equipment and gear to minimise the risk of injury

applies a range of fishing techniques and various processes to catch and handle fish in marine offshore environments using various baits and lures

evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple marine offshore fishing activities in locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

appropriate marine offshore fishing environments

marine offshore fishing equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of safe participation and demonstration of all practical tasks during marine offshore fishing

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of marine offshore fishing techniques

observation of safe and humane catching and handling of fish

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

respond appropriately to changing conditions

decide on marine offshore fishing equipment and materials to use

determine techniques to use when fishing in various conditions

planning and organising skills to:

source marine offshore fishing equipment, materials, bait and berley

ensure all gear and equipment is in good working order

determine target fish, fishing rig and techniques to use to catch fish

literacy skills to analyse, interpret and apply weather and environmental information, maps, charts, tidal information, GPS, fish finding equipment, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

self management skills to:

review and reflect on own performance

set goals to improve marine offshore fishing techniques

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and legal conduct of all activities performed in marine offshore environments

fish species preferred habitats and food or feeding styles

fishing locations and best times to target fish species including tidal pattern, evening, dawn, season, migratory pattern, lunar cycle, breeding cycle

marine offshore fishing equipment, its characteristics and technology, and advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment

safety equipment and gear to minimise risk of injury

lures suitable for target species, fishing rig and deployment method

lure deployment methods and techniques which present the bait to the target species in the most advantageous manner

fishing rigging techniques suitable for offshore and fishing rig setting adjustments to optimise performance

maritime communication equipment and its use to enable safe off shore operations

deep and or surface water species, reef species, and cold and or warm water species to locate during marine offshore fishing

selection, preparation and deployment of berley to maximise attraction of target species

fishing rod designs and features suitable for marine offshore applications and the target species

hand reels suitable for marine offshore fishing and the target species

safe and appropriate rig and catch retrieval techniques which minimise stress to the fish and damage to the rig

landing and de-hooking techniques appropriate to the species of fish

techniques for handling fish and returning undersized and unwanted fish to the water without damage

techniques to humanely dispatch fish quickly and decisively

dangerous fish species and their defining features and methods of handling them

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity.

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.

Species may include:

Blue Water Species

Reef species.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards

slippery or unstable shore

poor posture, poor technique

poor carrying techniques

loose or insecure craft when being transported.

other craft

the fishing location

tides

size and species of fish landed

reliability of navigation equipment.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure

stings or bites.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Fishing techniques may include:

trolling

bottom fishing

float

jig

lure

cubing or chunking.

Fishing rig, equipment, terminal tackle may include:

rods

reels and line

rigs

sinkers

lines.

Bait may include:

fish pieces or fish gut

live or dead bait fish

chicken meat

shell fish

prawns

squid

worms

nippers

weed.

Berley may include:

commercial mix

fish frames, pieces or scraps

prawn heads and shells

fish oils

bread or bread crumbs

worms

maggots

sand

wheat

bran

chopped weed

vegetable mix

berley cages, blobs, bombs.

Offshore fishing location may include:

edge of the continental shelf

beyond continental shelf

canyons

sea mounts and ridges

reef

maritime wreck

current lines

temperature breaks.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations:

marine regulations

fishing regulations and restrictions

protected species

recreational fishery and netting licenses

fish and bag size limits.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

safety and emergency procedures

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

procedures for handling dangerous fish

humane handling of fish policies

procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water

maritime emergency procedures

manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use

code of ethics

Handle and release fish may include:

using fish handling tools, crates and rubber landing nets

removing hook or cutting the line

de hooking with fish still in the water

using gentle release practices

fizzing a fish

releasing weights.

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
Identify marine offshore target species, their habitat and seasonal cycle. 
Identify potential hazards associated with marine offshore fishing, and procedures to minimise risks. 
Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information that may impact on the activity. 
Determine the most appropriate fishing technique for the target species. 
Select appropriate fishing rig, equipment, terminal tackle, bait or lure and berley for target species and check working order. 
Select safety equipment and gear to minimise risk of injury. 
Assemble and balance fishing rig to suit target species, habitat and the fishing environment. 
Locate appropriate offshore fishing location and determine safety measures according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Deploy fishing rig using appropriate technique to present lure or bait to the target species. 
Disperse berley if applicable. 
Monitor fishing rigs performance and change settings as required to optimise outcomes. 
Retrieve rig and land fish in appropriate manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Handle and release fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Release fish using appropriate tagging, handling and return techniques. 
Despatch retained fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Analyse performance of the fly and fishing rig. 
Identify improvements or modifications for future fly fishing sessions. 
Clean, maintain and safely stow fishing rig and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOFSH417A - Demonstrate marine offshore fishing skills
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:

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOFSH417A - Demonstrate marine offshore fishing skills

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:

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