Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 4) with strands in Hatchery, Fish
and Shellfish
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
70
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 aquaculture
sector with people who are able to work as experienced
operators in either hatchery, fish or shellfish operations involved
with stock management and other aquaculture operations.
This qualification is suitable for individuals who are employed in
the aquaculture industry.
Graduates will be capable of working in a self-managed capacity
and will have some responsibility for the performance of others.
Graduate profile
Graduates will be able to:

Implement and monitor staff work routines and legislative
compliance in an aquaculture operation.
Graduates of the Hatchery strand will also be able to:

Implement and monitor stock management procedures, and
hatchery processes in an aquaculture hatchery operation.
Graduates of the Fish strand will also be able to:

Implement and monitor stock management procedures, and
fish farming processes in a fish farming operation.
Outcome Statement
Graduates of the Shellfish strand will also be able to:

Education pathway
Qualification Reference 3134
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Implement and monitor stock management procedures, and
shellfish farming processes in a shellfish farming operation.
This qualification builds on the relevant strand of the New
Zealand Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 3) with strands in
Hatchery, Fish and Shellfish [Ref: 3135], and may lead on to the
New Zealand Certificate in Seafood (Level 5) with strands in
Aquaculture, Seafood Processing and Commercial Fishing [Ref:
Page 1 of 4
3129].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as senior
operators in an aquaculture operation.
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:

Student feedback on course delivery and qualification
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. Must include at least one of the strands.
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 following - Health and Safety in
Employment (HSE) Act 1992, Biosecurity Act 1993, Animal
Products Act 1999, Food Act 2014, Fisheries Act 1996, Wildlife
Act 1975, Treaty of Waitangi (Fisheries Claims) Settlement Act
1992.
Company quality, risk management, environmental and hygiene
requirements, recording and reporting; and relevant legislation
including health and safety, apply across all outcomes.
The behaviours that contribute to compliance with workplace
procedures, and commercial standards and timeframes are
inherent in the performance of the qualification’s outcomes and
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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must be considered as part of the assessment process.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
1
Conditions
Implement and monitor staff
work routines and legislative
compliance in an aquaculture
operation.
Credits 10
Hatchery strand
2
Implement and monitor stock
management procedures, and
hatchery processes in an
aquaculture hatchery operation.
Credits 60
Fish strand
3
Implement and monitor stock
management procedures, and
fish farming processes in a fish
farming operation.
Credits 60
Shellfish strand
4
Implement and monitor stock
management procedures, and
shellfish farming processes in a
shellfish farming operation.
Credits 60
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the:

National Certificate in Aquaculture (Farm Management of
Single-seed Pacific Oysters) (Level 4) [Ref: 1456]

National Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 4) [Ref: 1417]
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
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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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
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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