NZQA registered unit standard
Title
16340 version 4
Page 1 of 4
Describe the biology of the New Zealand Greenshell mussel (kutai, kuku)
Level
Purpose
3 Credits 5
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the
Greenshell

mussel (kutai, kuku); locate and identify the anatomical features of the Greenshell

mussel; describe the feeding, reproduction and life cycle of the Greenshell

mussel; describe the factors that impact on the growth of the
Greenshell

mussel; and describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate potential Greenshell

mussel health issues.
Classification
Available grade
Seafood > Aquaculture
Achieved
Explanatory notes
Definition
In the title of this unit standard ‘New Zealand Greenshell mussel’ refers to Greenshell  mussels (kutai, kuku).
Outcome 1
Describe the Greenshell

mussel (kutai, kuku).
Evidence requirements
1.1 The description includes the scientific name of the Greenshell

mussel.
1.2 The description includes the distinguishing features of the Greenshell

mussel.
Range evidence is required for three features.
1.3 The description includes the habitat of the Greenshell

mussel.
1.4 The description includes the geographical location of the Greenshell

mussel marine farm.
Range evidence is required for three farm locations.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558

New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2020

NZQA registered unit standard 16340 version 4
Page 2 of 4
Outcome 2
Locate and identify the anatomical features of the Greenshell

mussel.
Evidence requirements
2.1 The exterior anatomical features of a Greenshell

mussel are located and identified.
Range left and right shell, periostracum, byssus (beard).
2.2 The interior anatomical features of a Greenshell

mussel are located and identified.
Range foot, gills, labial palps, adductor muscle, gut, gonad, mantle.
2.3 The description includes an outline of the function of each anatomical feature.
Range left and right shell, periostracum, byssus (beard), foot, gills, labial palps, adductor muscle, gut, gonad, mantle.
2.4 The sex of the Greenshell

mussel is determined.
Outcome 3
Describe the feeding, reproduction and life cycle of the Greenshell

mussel.
Evidence requirements
3.1 The description includes an outline of the stages of the life cycle of the
Greenshell

mussel.
Range stages include adult.
– egg, sperm, trochophore, veliger, spat, juvenile,
3.2 The description includes an outline of the feeding method and food source at each life cycle stage.
Range stages include
– egg, sperm, trochophore, veliger, spat, juvenile, adult.
3.3 The description includes an outline of the stages of the reproductive cycle.
Range gonad development, natural triggers for spawning.
Outcome 4
Describe the factors that impact on the growth of the Greenshell

mussel.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558

New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2020

NZQA registered unit standard 16340 version 4
Page 3 of 4
Evidence requirements
4.1 The description includes methods of measuring the growth of the Greenshell
 mussel.
Range two methods.
4.2 The description identifies factors that can affect the growth of the Greenshell
 mussel.
Range growth factors may include but are not limited to – water temperature, water quality, food quality, food availability, mussel age, stress; evidence is required for four factors.
4.3
Outcome 5
The description includes the impact of each factor on the growth of the Green shell

mussel.
Describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate potential Green shell
 mussel health issues.
Evidence requirements
5.1 The description outlines abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate a potential health issue with the Greenshell

mussel.
Range five abnormal features and/or behaviours.
5.2 The description includes the action to take if abnormal features and/or behaviours are identified and the reasons why this action is important.
Range two reasons.
Planned review date 31 December 2014
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment
Registration 1 21 April 1999 31 December 2012
Review
Review
Review
2
3
4
25 February 2003
24 August 2006
17 June 2011
31 December 2012
31 December 2012
N/A
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558

New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2020

NZQA registered unit standard 16340 version 4
Page 4 of 4
0123 Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558

New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2020