Harvesting Fauna (animals)***

Fauna

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 

Carry out maintenance checks on equipment used for culling or harvesting. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Suitable equipment is selected for a particular culling or harvesting operation. 

There are a few specific things that must be researched before the actual harvesting like knowing which equipment will be used, what species will be harvested and wil it be live harvesting or culling.

You should check equipment before use for faults and good working condition. Making use of maps and gps to log the area of harvest for record keeping and to be specific. Equipment can involve things like fishnets, cages, firearms, ropes etc. keep an ethical base in mind when harvesting!

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 

Fishing nets, mist nets, cages, firearms, boma plastic, ropes, etc.

 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Equipment is checked for evidence of wear and tear. 

When you have selected the equipment appropriate for the harvest you must regularly check it for wear and tear, updated services. It is important to do these checks almost daily as it can prevent safety hazards as well as the harvest escaping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Needed maintenance work is carried out to ensure trouble free service as it applies to the use of the identified equipment. 

When equipement needs maintenance it is important to do so before the next harvest to ensure that the operation is carried out successfully and that nothing and no one is hurt in the process. E.g: a cage door that doesn’t slide down smoothly.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 

Carry out appropriate harvesting procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Appropriate harvesting methods is identified and described as it applies to the culling of harvesting operation. 

1.       Chemical game capture: Darting animals with a vet present.

2.       Passive game capture: Make use of boma’s, lock the doors then give the animals a day or so and only take the species that needs harvesting.

3.       Active game capture: Boma placed in V-shape and the animals are chased into the boma via helicopter or etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Appropriate harvesting procedures are applied in the participation in harvesting or culling activities. 

Before the harvesting actually starts you must be aware of all the harvesting procedures and brief you team on it as well. You must research the right procedures and apply.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Products are processed in line with local veterinary, legal and quality assurance requirements. 

The products harvested should meet the legal and quality assurance as well as be in line with the local vet. It would be a good idea to discuss the procedures with the vet and let the vet asses your products before production or sale. Discuss the method used and how you could get maximum outlet from the product and whether it is legal.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

Harvesting activities are monitored to ensure that they are appropriate. 

Records must be kept of each harvest done so that improvements can be done for the next harvest. Each harvest must be sufficiently monitored to ensure that each person is contributing correctly and that procedures are being followed correctly. Monitoring before the harvest is eaqually important to establish which area and which species needs harvesting. Pay attention to the seasons and the reasons for specific species being in that specific area over a certain time. A proper balance of speciesa in areas should be kept to ensure the smooth running of an ecosystem.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 

Collect and record basic biological data of the specimens captured. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

Data is collected to ensure accurate record keeping of captured specimens. 

Keep records of harvest spesifics like location, year, season, month, day, time, what was harvested, how many, gender ratio and any problems that has occurred during the harvest so that the next harvest will be more successful and also a balance can be kept on the distribution of animals in the area.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

The required biological data of the specimens captured, such as size, weight and gender is recorded. 

Refer to AC1

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Data specific to the area of removal is recorded. 

Before, during and after the harvest the area should be monitored and logged for record keeping. The most essential is the happenings after the harvest has taken place and the effect it has on the area. E.g. the ecosystem, breeding patterns, food distribution, interspecies competition etc.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 

Report on the harvest. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

A report on the harvest is drafted and submitted to the supervisor in line with organisational requirements. 

All the recordings made of the planning, harvest, monitoring and location should be drafted together and submitted to the supervisor.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

Reference is made to adherence to bag limits (where relevant). 

A reference is made to adherence to permit coditions. Permits carry limits to ensure that the species will continue to exsist as some harvesters don’t abide by these permits, the species are critically endangered. Fine are also rendered to harvesters that exceed the permit allowed.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

Reference is made to adherence to permit conditions (where relevant). 

The permit rendered to you as a harvester carries conditions to be followed. Like the bag limit, the area of harvest, and what can be harvested. These permits should strictly be followed as it contributes to your reputation as a quality harvester and trustworthy. These permits also say which is the weight of each animal to be harvested and how many alowed, catch return numbers etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 

Amount landed, weight, numbers (catch returns).

 

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 

Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.

Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 

Basic population dynamics (identification, sex and age structures).

Skinning and treatment techniques related to different uses.

Evisceration techniques.

Storage methods to suit carcass utilization.

Sample collection.

Abattoir requirements.

Food hygiene and carcass handling.

Safety procedures.

Basic reporting techniques.

Legal requirements for the removal of species.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 

N/A 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 

N/A 

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 

Operate in a group or team:

Successfully implementing and concluding a harvesting operation requires that a conservation worker develops the ability either to follow a team leader or to act as a team leader.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 

Self-management and -organisation:

Successfully implementing and concluding a harvesting operation requires that the learner work in a methodical and systematic manner.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 

Collect, organise, analyse and interpret information:

This unit standard gives learners an introduction to these skills. Data on fauna that is harvested is collected to ensure accurate record keeping. A record is made of details about specimens captured, such as size, weight, gender and where animals were removed.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 

Communication:

This unit standard promotes effective communication with management, specifically in the form of a report on the harvest.