Application
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Prepare to operate a recirculating aquaculture system | 1.1 Receive and confirm instructions with supervisor on water treatment components' operational requirements 1.2 Select, fit and adjust personal protective equipment as required 1.3 Locate and carry out routine pre-operational checks of components of the recirculating aquaculture system according to workplace procedure 1.4 Detect faulty components and report to supervisor 1.5 Identify abnormal operating and environmental conditions within the culture or holding structures or systems, and report to supervisor |
2. Operate and monitor a recirculating aquaculture system | 2.1 Operate automatic or mechanised equipment according to workplace procedures 2.2 Measure critical flow rates and other water quality parameters, and record data according to workplace procedures 2.3 Adjust operating components to optimise conditions for the culture or holding species 2.4 Check and test backup components for operational capacity 2.5 Report abnormal or non-standard conditions, and other risks, to supervisor |
3. Maintain and repair a recirculating aquaculture system | 3.1 Confirm work plan or schedule, environmental and biosecurity regulations, risks and contingency plans with supervisor 3.2 Collect basic tools, equipment, including personal protective equipment, spare parts and repair materials and take to worksite 3.3 Make basic repairs to sub-standard equipment and calibrate equipment following safe work practices 3.4 Service components and replace or repair worn or damaged parts or components according to supervisor instructions 3.5 Return components and water supply and disposal systems to working order 3.6 Check system for serviceability and performance, and report problems to supervisor |
4. Finalise operation, monitoring and maintenance activities | 4.1 Clean work area and dispose of waste materials safely according to workplace procedures 4.2 Check and store tools and equipment, reporting any identified repair requirements to supervisor 4.3 Record relevant data and observations, and report any abnormal records to supervisor |
Evidence of Performance
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 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.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret text in workplace procedures and instructions |
Writing | Complete workplace maintenance and repair forms legibly and accurately |
Numeracy | Analyse data to complete basic calculations Estimate and calculate volume and quantities of inputs and outputs of liquids, gases and solids Set and adjust measurement scale to calibrate equipment |
Oral communication | Ask questions to clarify job requirements Describe safety risks and abnormal records to supervisor using correct terminology |
Sectors
Aquaculture (AQU)