Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Fishing (Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
40
NZSCED
030308 - Engineering and Related Technologies > Process and
Resources Engineering > Seafood Processing
Qualification developer
Primary ITO
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
April 2016
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the commercial
fishing sector with people who are able to work as operators
undertaking fish and fish product handling activities in an inshore or deep-water environment.
This qualification is for people who wish to work in the
commercial fishing industry, and to provide formal recognition for
the skills of those already working within the industry.
Graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision
with responsibility for their own work outcomes.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Graduates will be able to:

Comply with hygiene, food safety and workplace safety
requirements relating to commercial fishing, and fish and fish
product handling activities.

Communicate and interact effectively with team members
and colleagues in a commercial fishing operation.

Carry out routine commercial fishing operations and postharvest fish and fish product handling.
Education pathway
This qualification leads on to the New Zealand Certificate in
Commercial Fishing (Level 4) [Ref: 3132].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as
operators in a commercial fishing operation in an in-shore or
deep-water environment.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by any education organisation
which has an approved programme of study or industry training
programme leading to the qualification.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
Evidence of the following must be provided:
Qualification Reference 3133
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016

Student feedback on course delivery and qualification
Page 1 of 3
achievement, their perception of the value of the training, and
suggestions for improvements.

Feedback from employers on the level of skills, knowledge
and behaviour demonstrated by graduates of the
qualification.

Evidence of effective internal quality assurance systems.

Portfolios of work and/or assessment samples demonstrating
the range of student performance within a programme.
Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) can also provide any
other relevant evidence that supports the consistency review.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achieved.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
None.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must
maintain currency with amendments to, and replacements of,
relevant legislation, regulations, and codes of practice which may
include some or all of the - Health and Safety in Employment
(HSE) Act 1992, Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims)
Settlement Act 1992, Biosecurity Act 1993, Animal Products Act
1999, Food Act 2014, Fisheries Act 1996, Wildlife Act 1975.
Company quality, risk management, recording, and reporting;
and relevant legislation apply across all outcomes.
The behaviours that contribute to compliance with workplace
procedures, teamwork, and commercial standards and
timeframes are inherent in the performance of the qualification’s
outcomes and must be considered as part of the assessment
process.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
1
Conditions
Comply with hygiene, food safety
and workplace safety
requirements relating to
commercial fishing, and fish and
fish product handling activities.
Credits 5
2
Communicate and interact
effectively with team members
and colleagues in a commercial
fishing operation.
Credits 5
Qualification Reference 3133
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Page 2 of 3
3
Carry out routine commercial
fishing operations and postharvest fish and fish product
handling.
Fishing involves the activities associated with, and in support of;
catching, taking or harvesting of fish from the sea.
Credits 30

Fisheries management practices

Quota management system
Programmes may include the following topics:
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the:

National Certificate in Seafood Vessel Operations (At Sea
Processing) [Ref: 0644]

National Certificate in Seafood Vessel Operations (Level 2)
[Ref: 1154]

National Certificate in Seafood Vessel Operations (Level 3)
with strands in Net Making, Rescue Boat Operation, and
Crane Operation [Ref: 1593]

National Certificate in Seafood Processing (Storage) [Ref:
1645]
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2018. The
last date for award of the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2020 at which time they will be
designated as discontinued.
It is the intention of Primary ITO that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these transition
arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may appeal to the Primary ITO .
PO Box 10383
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
Ph: (04)801 9616
Email: educationteam@primaryito.ac.nz
Qualification Reference 3133
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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