Collect samples from live fish to monitor the condition of a fishery

This standard is about collecting samples from live fish to monitor the  condition of a fishery. It includes collecting samples of live fish from a  fishery in a manner that minimises the disturbance to the fishery and then assessing the individual fish to determine their health and condition using routine and non-routine tasks. 

This standard requires that the condition of live fish is determined by their length and weight, condition factor, age and the presence of parasites and disease. 

This standard requires that you carry out work safely in line with relevant legal and health and safety requirements and that you work to maintain bio-security and minimise environmental disturbance at all times.

1. carry out all activities required to safely collect samples from live fish to monitor the condition of the fishery, in line with relevant health and safety requirements
2. prepare, use and maintain appropriate tools and equipment for fish sample collection to the required standard of the fishery
3. select and use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work required
4. prepare and handle live fish in a manner that minimises stress
5. collect samples of live fish ready for further analysis
6. monitor the condition of a fishery by collecting samples from live fish, including fish scale samples  
7. dispatch fish humanely, where required, to facilitate the collection of further data
8. determine the characteristics of individual fish using measuring equipment, as appropriate
9. record mortalities to obtain management information as required by your organisation
10. dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures
11. maintain levels of hygiene and bio-security when collecting samples from live fish to monitor the condition of a fishery
12. sterilise, where appropriate, and store equipment for collecting samples after use, in accordance with requirements
13. maintain accurate information to keep up-to-date records on the collection of samples for monitoring the condition of the fishery, in accordance with organisational and legal requirements

1. the health and safety requirements associated with collecting samples from live fish
2. how to identify common British freshwater and marine fish species
3. how to recognise external characteristics of healthy fish
4. the function of the main internal fish organs and how to identify them
5. the different types of fish sampling equipment and their use
6. how to determine the size of fish using weight and length measurements
7. the importance of maintaining measuring equipment in accordance with the required standard
8. the errors that fish sampling equipment may cause to the quality of the data collection
9. the factors that affect fish growth and condition
10. common health problems and abnormalities that affect fish and how to recognise their presence
11. how anaesthetics can be used to assist the process of data collection and minimise the stress caused to fish
12. the dangers and the relevant law associated with the use of different fish anaesthetics in the field
13. the methods used to collect samples from live fish to monitor the condition of a fishery
14. the common causes of death in fish, including how the cause of death can be determined
15. notifiable diseases in fish and why they need to be reported
16. how the characteristics of individual fish can be used to determine the characteristics of a fishery as a whole
17. how to dispose of dead fish and other forms of waste
18. the structures used to determine the age of different fish species
19. how to accurately record measurements as required by the organisation and the role of data in fisheries management
20. the importance of hygiene and bio-security and its role in minimising risks to the fishery