SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Fishing Hand 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110932  Occupational Certificate: Fishing Hand 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  79  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2019-10-24  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to prepare the learner to operate as a Fishing Hand. A Fishing Hand assists with the handling of fishing vessel cargo, preparation of fishing equipment, the processing of fish as well as navigational and safety operations on-board a ship.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Assist with cargo handling.
  • Assist with fishing preparation and fish processing operations.
  • Assist with cleaning and maintenance operations on board a fishing vessel or workshop.
  • Assist with navigational and safety operations on-board a ship.

    Rationale:
    The fishing industry is one of the prioritised areas for development in the South Africa. The industry is supported by legislation, national policies and strategies, inter alia the International Convention for Standards, Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F). The latter was adopted at a diplomatic conference convened under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). South Africa is a member of the IMO Council and is expected to support this initiative. In South Africa, any person working on board a ship must be in possession of a Pre-sea Certificate issued by the South African Maritime Safety Association (SAMSA).

    In view of the aforesaid it became necessary during the revision of the Fishing Operations Qualification to ensure better alignment with national requirements as well as to create a pathway for learners entering the fishing industry, both on board a vessel and ashore in factories.

    This realigned qualification reflects the needs of the industry and sea safety competences which will open up opportunities for career pathing and life-long learning in the fishing industry. Target groups identified include school leavers or persons who have been working in the fishing industry without formal qualifications and who wish to formalise their skills and knowledge. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or by certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for Access to the Qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 1 qualification. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 821601-000-00-KM-01, General Orientation to the Work of a Fishing Hand, Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-KM-02, Cargo Handling and Packing in the Fishing Industry, Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-KM-03, Personal Hygiene and Food Safety in the Fishing Industry, Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-KM-04, Fishing Operations Machinery and Equipment Maintenance Theory, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-KM-05, Pollution and Waste Disposal, Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-KM-06, Safety Familiarisation and Pre-sea Safety, Level 2, 7 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 27.

    Practical Skill Modules
  • 821601-000-00-PM-01, Load and Off-load Cargo, Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-PM-02, Prepare Cargo Hold and Stow-away Cargo, Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-PM-03, Assist with Construction and Maintenance of Fishing Gear, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 333101-000-01-00-PM-04, Conduct Fish Processing Operations, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 333101-000-01-00-PM-05, Clean and Maintain Machinery and Machinery Spaces, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-PM-06, Load and Offload Stores and Dispose of Waste, Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-PM-07, Monitor and Report Maritime Traffic and Activity on Navigation Equipment, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00-PM-08, Perform Safety Operations, Level 2, 6 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 33.

    Work Experience Modules
  • 821601-000-00- WM-01, Cargo movement and storage processes, Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00- WM-02, Fishing gear preparation processes, Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00- WM-03, Fish processing processes, Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00- WM-04, Processes for cleaning and maintenance of machinery and machinery spaces, Level 2, 5 Credits.
  • 821601-000-00- WM-05, Navigation signalling and safety procedures, Level 2, 4 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 19. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Move and store cargo.
    2. Clean and maintain fishing gear.
    3. Process fish and clean and maintain fish processing equipment.
    4. Maintain and clean fishing operations machinery and machinery spaces.
    5. Perform navigational and safety operations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Hook, unhook and load cargo containers safely and securely.
  • Clean and prepare cargo hold for the next voyage and meet the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) criteria.
  • Stabilise freight and secure cargo properly.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Repair various types of fishing gear correctly and safely.
  • Explain the process of storing fishing gear.
  • Clean fishing gear properly using appropriate material, mixed to approved specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explain different methods and processes to be followed for fish and seafood preparation.
  • Explain safety and hygiene implications of handling of fresh and frozen fish and seafood.
  • Explain storing and packing processes for fresh and frozen fish.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain different types of oils and greases and its uses.
  • Explain procedures and requirements for handling and storing of stores.
  • Explain procedures for disposal of different types of waste.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify maritime traffic and navigation signals.
  • Interpret the muster sheet and drills accurately and explain the processes to be applied.
  • Explain various personal safety applications on board a vessel.
  • Identify accidents and injuries to be reported and explain the reason.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This Formative Assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external Summative Assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) is required to issue this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external Integrated Summative Assessment will be conducted by means of a combination of an oral assessment and practical evaluation. The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted at a Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) recommended and QCTO accredited decentralised assessment centres. Evaluation will be done by assessment specialists registered by the TETA for this purpose.

    The assessment will take place over a minimum period of 1 day. A candidate who attempted an external assessment will be given recognition for those assessment tasks in which he/she has been found competent and not be retested in those tasks provided that: (1) The learner is competent in at least 50% of the task given during the assessment, and (2) The recognition will be retained by the candidate for a maximum of 3 attempts or 18 months from the date of successful completion of the assessment tasks whichever comes first. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The occupational qualification was compared with qualifications offered by the United Kingdom Maritime Training (Plymouth) and the Mumbai, India International Maritime Training Centre.

    United Kingdom:
    Efficient Deck Hand (Ref. MCA-MGN 10) and Deck Officer Certificates of Competence Ancillary Qualifications (STCW 95 Basic Safety Training).

    These two qualifications offered in the United Kingdom (UK) cover:
  • Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting.
  • Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulation.
  • Small Ships Navigation and Radar.

    These qualifications offered by the United Kingdom Maritime Training (Plymouth) are specifically aimed at people working on the deck of a vessel and includes navigation and radar. However, it excludes the maintenance of fishing operations machinery and machinery spaces, maintenance of fishing gear, fish processing, loading, off-loading and stowage of containers and stock, maintenance of fishing operations' machinery and disposal of waste. All of which are incorporated in the South African occupational qualification.

    India:
    Practical Deck Skills.

    The Mumbai, India International Maritime Training Centre offers a qualification on Practical Deck Skills which includes:
  • Practical training in knots, bends, hitches and splices with synthetic and natural fibre rope.
  • Practical training in splices with wire rope.
  • Surface maintenance theory and procedures.
  • General maintenance of deck equipment.

    The occupational qualification addresses all these issues. It however also includes aspects related to sea safety and fish processing, loading, off-loading and stowage of containers and stock, maintenance of fishing operations' equipment and disposal of waste.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with identified qualifications in India and United Kingdom (UK). 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has the following articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Fish and Seafood Processing; Level 2.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Occupational Certificate: Deck and Fishing Able Seafarer; Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Deck Hand (Able Seaman); Level 3.
  • Occupational Certificate: Engine Able Seafarer, Level 3. 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience records including the Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
    None.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

    The curriculum title and code is:
  • Fishing Hand: 821601-000-00-00.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD):
    This is not a trade qualification.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
    Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA).

    Derived Qualifications Registered as Part Qualifications:
    None. 

  • LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.