SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Demonstrate a working knowledge of marine organisms

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12400	Demonstrate a working knowledge of marine organisms
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 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2004-12-02	2007-12-02	SAQA 1657/04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02		2011-12-02

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

The qualifying learner assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to demonstrate and communicate an understanding of the identification, diversity and biology of marine organisms, and to use this understanding to explain and evaluate management of the organisms. This competence contributes towards the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the organisms.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Mathematical literacy - NQF 4

Biology - NQF 4

Computer Literacy - NQF 2

Ecology - NQF 4

Communication - NQF 4

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Guides to the scope and complexity of the specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are provided in bullet points beneath each. These are prefaced by "for example" since they are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are intended only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organisms and the environment

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Predator prey relationships.

Consequences of extractive use of resources.

Biodiversity.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the Unit Standards being assessed.

They must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge.

As each situation is different, it will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which practitioners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment; formative and summative assessment.

The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a practitioner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a practitioner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, they should not be assessed as competent.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment should include practical demonstration of competence, either in the workplace or through work-realistic, out-of-classroom simulation.

A range of assessment methods should be used, including:

Direct observation - watch the practitioner carry out the task or produce a desired outcome during the course of his or her normal work under normal workplace conditions
Product sample - examine the outcomes previously produced by the practitioner
Simulation of a specific task - set a specific task for the practitioner to demonstrate in a simulated environment
Questioning (verbal or written) - ask relevant questions linked to the unit standard
Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people (eg: reports from a third party)

Integrated assessment
It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together thus reducing the overall number of assessment 'events'.

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Identify organisms to species level by using the accepted methods of identification

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Physical examination of specimens.

Morphometric characteristics, such as spine and ray counts in fish.

Size and weight of species.

Physical characteristics of species.

Use of accepted identification guides and techniques.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Consider procedures for identifying organisms that are not in their natural state

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

.Organisms have been processed (skinned, dried).

Parts of organisms. (e.g. fish that have been headed and gutted).

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Take unbiased samples of organisms.

Take a suitable sub-sample of large catches and divide into species etc.

Use correct methods of measuring species.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Local environment, biosphere, community interactions, biodiversity.

Size and bag limits.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Describe the risks posed to marine organisms by pollution

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Solid pollutants (plastic etc.).

Chemical pollution.

Biological "pollution" (harmful algal blooms, eutrophication).

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7

Present the findings in an acceptable way

OUTCOME NOTES

For example:

Evidence in court.

Sworn Statements.

Reports.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Consider a complete activity in the workplace (the 'whole of work' approach) and see which unit standards relate to this activity.

Work out how practitioners could collect evidence on a number of unit standards at the same time covering all the critical aspects of the standards

Ensure that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed under point 4 immediately below.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution which is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of:

Marine biology.

Ecology.

Basic physical/chemical oceanography.

Knowledge of relevant legislation.

Taxonomical methods.

Reporting procedures.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Problem solving relates to the following specific outcomes:

1.Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organism
and the environment.

2.Identify organisms to species level by using the accepted methods of
identification.

3.Consider procedures for identifying organisms that are not in their natural state.

4.Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures.

5.Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters.
.
6.Describe the risks posed to marine organisms by pollution.

7.Present the findings in an acceptable way.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Self-organisation and management relates to the following specific outcomes:

1.Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organism
and the environment.

2.Identify organisms to species level by using the accepted methods of
identification.

3.Consider procedures for identifying organisms that are not in their natural state.

4.Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures.

5.Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters.
.
6.Describe the risks posed to marine organisms by pollution.

7.Present the findings in an acceptable way.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Information evaluation relates to the following specific outcomes:

1.Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organism
and the environment.

2.Identify organisms to species level by using the accepted methods of
identification.

3.Consider procedures for identifying organisms that are not in their natural state.

4.Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures.

5.Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters.
.
6.Describe the risks posed to marine organisms by pollution.

7.Present the findings in an acceptable way.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communication relates to the following specific outcomes:

7.Present the findings in an acceptable way.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use of science and technology relates to the following specific outcomes:

1.Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organism
and the environment.

2.Identify organisms to species level by using the accepted methods of
identification.

3.Consider procedures for identifying organisms that are not in their natural state.

4.Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures.

5.Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters.
.
6.Describe the risks posed to marine organisms by pollution.

7.Present the findings in an acceptable way.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Inter-relatedness of systems relates to the following specific outcomes:

1.Identify significant interactions between organisms, groups of organism
and the environment.
4.Use correct sampling procedures for assessing the efficacy of management measures.
5.Explain management actions in the context of biological and ecological parameters.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Values

Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:

Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.

Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems.
Thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	35925	Certificate: Fisheries Observation: Deep Sea	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	AgriSETA
Core	20153	National Certificate: Conservation: Fisheries Resource Management	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2012-06-30	CATHSSETA

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.

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