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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Gather data on important marine mammal, reptile and bird species 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263287  Gather data on important marine mammal, reptile and bird species 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Individuals completing this unit standard will develop competence as a fisheries officer with an ability to identify and gather data in order to report on important marine mammal, marine reptile and pelagic bird species in terms of their occurrence, distribution and reaction to fishing vessels and operations. In addition, individuals will be able to assess the impact of human activities such as fishing in terms of marine mammal, retile and bird species behaviour and incidental mortality. The result of such competence will benefit the sub-field by providing information on the distribution and abundance of these species.

In particular, learners will be able to:
  • Use field guides and other aids to accurately identify the major pelagic bird species.
  • Identify the important marine mammal and reptile species that occur within the Exclusive Economic Zone.
  • Determine the status of incidental mortality of marine mammal, reptile and bird species in the area of operation.
  • Gather data on marine mammal, reptile and bird species in relation to fishing operation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Use field guides and other aids to accurately identify the major pelagic bird species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Visual methods are used to identify major pelagic bird species. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Visual methods include but is not limited to:
  • Pictures in field guides, photographs or other drawings are compared when sighting pelagic birds; video footage.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Distinctions are made between birds of various species, based on physical distinguishing characteristics, flight patterns and other behaviour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    References are used to confirm identification and distribution of major pelagic bird species. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the important marine mammal and reptile species that occur within an Exclusive Economic Zone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Visual methods are used to identify marine mammal species and turtles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Marine mammal species include but is not limited to:
  • Cetaceans (whales, dolphins); seals (Cape fur seal, vagrant species such as elephant seal, sub-Antarctic fur seal and dugongs); marine reptile species (turtles) that occur in the area of operation.

    Aids includes but is not limited to:
  • Pictures in field guides, photographs or other drawings are compared when sighting important marine mammal species and reptiles; video footage.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Distinctions are made between marine mammals and reptile to species and genus level, based on physical distinguishing characteristics and behavioural patterns. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Application include marine mammals as well as the distinguishing features of reptile species.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Field guides and other aids are used correctly in support of the accurate identification and distribution of marine mammal, reptile and bird species. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the status of incidental mortality of marine mammal, reptile and bird species in an area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The factors impacting on incidental mortality of marine mammal, reptile and bird species are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors includes but is not limited to:
  • Nets, long-lines, and other observed causes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of incidental mortality on species is described from a conservation perspective. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Species includes but is not limited to:

    Marine mammals, reptiles and bird species.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A report is drafted and presented on observed causes and animals affected by incidental mortality in the area of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Animals includes but is not limited to:
  • Seals, dolphins, birds, turtles.

    Causes includes but is not limited to:
  • Nets, long lines and other observed causes.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Gather data on marine mammal, reptile and bird species in relation to fishing operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data is gathered and presented in a report on the distribution, abundance and behaviour of mammals, reptiles and birds in a range of situations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Data includes but is not limited to:
  • Distribution, abundance and behaviour.

    Behaviour includes but is not limited to:
  • Birds feeding behind a fishing vessel; Seals around a fishing vessel; dolphins and other cetaceans either being attracted to or avoiding a fishing vessel.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information gathered and consolidated is reported to relevant authorities and data entered onto appropriate databases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Practices that pose a threat to marine animals are identified as it applies to non-target species so as to suggest appropriate steps for avoiding or minimising such actions. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The identification, behaviour and distribution patterns of marine mammal, reptile and bird species.
  • Reporting systems.
  • Population characteristics of relevant species. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information gathering, analysis, interpretation and evaluation:
  • This unit standard promotes study and research into the physical external characteristics and behaviour of marine mammal, reptile and bird species. The objective is to use the information gathered to identify the species and genus accurately. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Effective Communication:
  • This unit standard requires the learner to acquire reporting skills in matters of incidental mortality as well as sightings of birds, mammals and reptiles. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology:
  • The use of field guides and other sources is central to this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • Ecological awareness is essential in any effort to avoid and minimise threats to non-target species during fishing operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Respecting the natural and cultural environment.
  • Maintaining the integrity of data and reporting procedures.

    Supplementary information:

    The learner must be able to identify species under real or simulated field conditions. Photographs and video footage may be used for assessment. The actual learning programme will vary according to the fishery and/or geographical area in which the learner will be employed, bearing in mind that the programme should not be so limited as to exclude broad applicability of the unit standard. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66149   Further Education and Training Certificate: Fisheries Resource Compliance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.