-SQA- SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE: UNIT SPECIFICATION GENERAL INFORMATION. -Module Number Session

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1 -SQA- SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE: UNIT SPECIFICATION GENERAL INFORMATION -Module Number Session Superclass- -Title- RH FISHERY OPERATIONS: HABITAT MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION- GENERAL COMPETENCE FOR UNIT: Describing fishery habitat improvement and weed control techniques and conducting habitat surveys, maintenance and improvement operations. OUTCOMES 1. conduct a fishery habitat survey; 2. describe fishery habitat improvement techniques; 3. conduct fishery habitat improvement operations; 4. describe aquatic weed control techniques; 5. conduct fishery maintenance operations. CREDIT VALUE: 1 NC Credit ACCESS STATEMENT: Candidates will benefit from already having achieved Standard Grade Biology at Credit level or SQA module equivalents and the module Fishery Operations: Freshwater Ecology For further information contact: Committee and Administration Unit, SQA, Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ. Additional copies of this unit may be purchased from SQA (Sales and Despatch section). At the time of publication, the cost is 1.50 (minimum order 5.00).

2 NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE; UNIT SPECIFICATION STATEMENT OF STANDARDS UNIT NUMBER: UNIT TITLE: FISHERY OPERATIONS: HABITAT MAINTENANCE Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. OUTCOME 1. CONDUCT A FISHERY HABITAT SURVEY PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) The assessment of habitat parameters is conducted comprehensively and according to the procedures of a recognised system. (b) The measurement of the parameters is accurate and comprehensive with regard to the requirements of the system adopted. (c) The recording of habitat data is accurate and conforms to the conventions of the system adopted. RANGE STATEMENT Habitat parameters: substrate type; depth; cover; pool quality. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Performance evidence in the form of observation of activity for all performance criteria and critical classes. Additional evidence in the form of written records for Performance Criterion (c). 2

3 OUTCOME 2. DESCRIBE FISHERY HABITAT IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The description of installations used to improve an aquatic habitat is accurate and complete with respect to construction materials. The outline of the habitat construction technique is accurate and includes reference to the equipment required. The description of productivity enhancement techniques is accurate and includes reference to the materials required. RANGE STATEMENT Installations: bankside devices; instream devices; reefs. Productivity enhancement techniques: bankside vegetation; fertilisers; stocking. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence of the candidate s ability to produce descriptions and an outline which satisfy all the performance criteria and critical classes. OUTCOME 3. CONDUCT FISHERY HABITAT IMPROVEMENT OPERATIONS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The quantitative assessment of the materials required is accurate and appropriate to the size and type of habitat installation. The equipment selected is appropriate to the construction technique and required materials. The installation of the habitat device is conducted according to the requirements of the construction technique. RANGE STATEMENT Habitat installation: bankside device; instream device. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Performance evidence in the form of observation of activity which satisfies all performance criteria and critical classes. 3

4 OUTCOME 4. DESCRIBE AQUATIC WEED CONTROL TECHNIQUES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The description of aquatic weed control methods is accurate and includes reference to water type and health and safety regulations. The description of aquatic weed control and removal techniques is accurate and includes reference to environmental precautions. The description of the equipment used for aquatic weed control and removal is accurate and includes reference to labour requirements. RANGE STATEMENT Control methods: manual; mechanical; chemical; biological. Water type: still; flowing. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written and/or oral evidence of the candidate s ability to produce descriptions which satisfy all performance criteria and critical classes. OUTCOME 5. CONDUCT FISHERY MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The aquatic weed control operation is conducted according to recognised procedures and appropriate safety regulations. The removal of unwanted bankside vegetation is conducted according to recognised procedures and appropriate safety regulations. The maintenance of physical structures is conducted according to recognised procedures appropriate to the component materials. RANGE STATEMENT Aquatic weed control: chemical; manual. Bankside vegetation: grasses; bushes; trees. Physical structures: fences; paths; wooden structures. 4

5 EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Performance evidence in the form of observation of activity which satisfies a minimum of one of the two weed control critical classes and all other performance criteria and critical classes ASSESSMENT In order to achieve this unit, candidates are required to present sufficient evidence that they have met all the performance criteria for each outcome within the range specified. Details of these requirements are given for each outcome. The assessment instruments used should follow the general guidance offered by the SQA assessment model and an integrative approach to assessment is encouraged. (See references at the end of support notes). Accurate records should be made of the assessment instruments used showing how evidence is generated for each outcome and giving marking schemes and/or checklists, etc. Records of candidates achievements should be kept. These records will be available for external verification. SPECIAL NEEDS In certain cases, modified outcomes and range statements can be proposed for certification. See references at end of support notes. Copyright SQA 1996 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 5

6 NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE: UNIT SPECIFICATION SUPPORT NOTES UNIT NUMBER: UNIT TITLE: FISHERY OPERATIONS: HABITAT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT NOTES: This part of the unit specification is offered as guidance. None of the sections of the support notes is mandatory. NOTIONAL DESIGN LENGTH: SQA allocates a notional design length to a unit on the basis of time estimated for achievement of the stated standards by a candidate whose starting point is as described in the access statement. The notional design length for this unit is 40 hours. The use of notional design length for programme design and timetabling is advisory only. PURPOSE This module may be taken as a free-standing module in a wide variety of programmes. It is particularly suitable for candidates undertaking programmes in the land-based sector. SQA publishes summaries of NC units for easy reference, publicity purposes, centre handbooks, etc. The summary statement for this unit is as follows: On completion of this module, the candidate will be able to maintain a fishery operation and assess and improve fishery habitat. CONTENT/CONTEXT The candidate should be aware of the influence of the nature of the physical habitat on the productivity and ecology of fresh waters. The skills to identify freshwater flora and fauna would be an advantage. Corresponding to outcomes: 1. The candidate should be introduced to the principles of habitat measurement and appreciate the importance of habitat assessment as a prerequisite to habitat engineering. The candidate could be taught how to monitor the habitat using one of several commonly used systems including Hab-score and Herrington and Durram. The survey work undertaken should be restricted to measuring and recording data according to the conventions of the system and should not include data analysis. Small salmonid streams are recommended as survey sites. 6

7 2. The candidate should develop a knowledge of the habitat improvements that can be engineered in both river and stillwater situations. The habitat requirements of game and coarse fish species at all stages of their development should be discussed. This could include reference to the required conditions for spawning, ova incubation, feeding territory for all ages of fish and fish lies. An appreciation of the factors that determine the quality of a habitat should be developed for both river and stillwater situations. Discussions on the installation of bank side structures should include reference to stone gabions, scour boards and bankside revetment. Instream devices should include fish lies made from boulders or concrete, and various low-technology dam constructions. The emphasis should be on the use of inexpensive and locally available materials and simple manual construction techniques including log structures, stake and netting, slab and support and sand bags. The installation of reefs constructed of brushwood and nonbiodegradables such as rubber car tyres should be discussed as a means of developing existing still waters devoid of productive shallows. Reference should be made to still water habitat design, including depth profiles to provide the correct balance between productive shallows and deep water sanctuary. The difference in requirements for coarse and game fish species should be discussed and reference made to the provision of suitable angling conditions. Other physical habitat improvements to still waters including silt traps and wave buffers could be referred to. The techniques commonly used to enhance the productivity of newly created and existing still waters should be discussed. The application of limes and fertilisers including dose rates and the stocking of waters with beneficial plants and invertebrates should be included. 3. The candidate should receive instruction in the use of basic hand tools including spade, pick, crowbar, wood saw, wire cutters and sledge hammer before undertaking simple bankside or instream installation improvements. It is recommended that works undertaken be restricted to small shallow stream situations. Possible construction methods could be discussed during site visits, taking account of the specific conditions. On-site observations should cover accessibility, nature of the bank side, substrate type, water depth and flow, and the availability of potential construction materials (timber and natural stone). The candidate should narrow down construction options and arrive at a reasonable assessment of the most appropriate construction method together with the quantity and type of materials required. The candidate could conduct installations for bankside devices including scour boards, bankside revetment or gabions. Instream constructions could include the various types of dams previously discussed (Outcome 2) or fish lies. 7

8 4. The candidate should develop a knowledge of the weed control options appropriate to various water types. The risks to the environment and fish stocks of specific weed control techniques should be discussed, including reference to practical safeguards. Discussion of manual and mechanical removal methods should include hand and chain scythes, traditional weed cutting patterns (bar and chequer board) and the use of weed cutting boats with reciprocating cutter bars. The relevance of plant identification skills should be emphasised when discussing chemical control and the selection of appropriate licenced herbicides. The candidate should be made aware of the dangers of deoxygenation of the water when too much vegetation is killed at a time. The use of grass carp as a biological weed control agent in enclosed still waters should be discussed with reference to appropriate stocking rates and the carps feeding preferences. Reference could be made to the silver carp as a method of phytoplankton control and barley straw as an algal control technique suitable for small stillwaters. 5. The candidate should receive instruction in the use of the appropriate equipment for the application of herbicides with the emphasis on current health and safety regulations. The manual techniques practised could include hand and chain scythes in either river or stillwater situations. The candidate should be instructed in the use of hand tools which could include axe, brash hook, strimmer and chainsaw and be able to choose equipment appropriate to nature of the bankside vegetation. Maintenance techniques should include the preservation of wooden structures by painting with creosote and simple repairs. The candidate should be able to measure, cut and secure timbers with nails and screws as appropriate. The maintenance of short sections of wooden and wire fences, the clearing of weeds from paths and laying of gravel should be included. APPROACHES TO GENERATING EVIDENCE After introductory classroom based sessions to cover habitat improvement and weed control techniques candidates should be instructed in the use of tools and equipment for habitat improvement and fishery maintenance operations. It is recommended that practical habitat improvement should be carried out on small manageable streams and maintenance and repairs conducted on a small stillwater sport fishery. 8

9 ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES Centres may use the instruments of assessment which are considered by tutor/trainers to be the most appropriate. Examples of instruments of assessment which could be used are as follows: Corresponding to Outcomes 1-5: Outcome 1 Observation of practical activity by an assessor recording the results on observation checklists that satisfies all performance criteria and critical classes. Written records of habitat monitoring to be submitted following a fishery survey to satisfy the requirements of Performance Criterion (c). Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4 Outcome 5 A written test requiring restricted responses satisfying the requirements of all performance criteria and critical classes. Observation of practical activity by an assessor recording the results on observation checklists that satisfies all performance criteria and critical classes. A written test requiring restricted responses satisfying the requirements of all performance criteria and critical classes. Observation of practical activity by an assessor recording the results on observation checklists that satisfies all performance criteria and critical classes. PROGRESSION This module would allow progress to advanced study and contributes towards the level III General SVQ Land-based Industries qualification. RECOGNITION Many SQA NC units are recognised for entry/recruitment purposes. For up-to-date information see the SQA guide Recognised Groupings of National Certificate Modules. REFERENCES 1. Guide to unit writing. (A018). 2. For a fuller discussion on assessment issues, please refer to SQA s Guide to Assessment. (B005). 3. Procedures for special needs statements are set out in SQA s guide Candidates with Special Needs. (B006). 4. Information for centres on SQA s operating procedures is contained in SQA s Guide to Procedures. (F009). 5. For details of other SQA publications, please consult SQA s publications list. (X037). 9

10 Copyright SQA 1996 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 10