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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Comply with Investigation and prosecution requirements in the fisheriers environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263292  Comply with Investigation and prosecution requirements in the fisheriers environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals responsible to assist police and other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of cases for prosecution in the capacity of fisheries inspectors. Responsibilities will furthermore include the arrest of offenders as well as the collection, preparation and presentation of evidence in a court of law.

On achievement of this unit standard individuals will be able to:
  • Exercise the powers conferred on fisheries inspectors.
  • Follow procedures for gathering and processing evidence for prosecuting offenders.
  • Prepare a case docket in accordance with prosecution requirements.
  • Present exhibits in support of the prosecution process. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Numerical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Exercise the powers conferred on fisheries inspectors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The offences under the relevant legislation as it applies to fisheries compliance are defined with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for relevant legislation includes but is not limited to:
  • The Marine Living Resources Act and regulations stipulated in terms of the Act, Criminal Procedures Act and regulations stipulated in terms of the Act.

    Range of offences includes but is not limited to:
  • Disturbing, removing, possessing and selling of marine organisms not covered within a permit.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The powers granted to a fisheries inspector are described as it applies to the relevant legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for legislation includes but is not limited to
  • The Marine Living Resources Act and regulations stipulated in terms of the Act, Criminal Procedures Act and regulations stipulated in terms of the Act.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Powers to stop, search and inspect are executed in accordance with legislative requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for application of powers include but is not limited to:
  • Vessels, vehicles, premises, persons, equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Powers of arrest and seizure are exercised in accordance with legislative requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of arrest and seizure includes but is not limited to:
  • Inspectors acting in the capacity of peace officers, environmental management inspectors, citizen's arrest in terms of the Criminal Procedures Act.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Follow procedures for gathering and processing evidence for prosecuting offenders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Evidence of non-compliance with relevant conservation legislation is collected according to accepted procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for accepted procedures includes but is not limited to:
  • Protocol of first member on the crime scene, cataloguing of evidence, preserving the chain of evidence, correct and safekeeping of evidence, prevention of evidence tampering.

    Range for legislation includes:
  • Law of Evidence, Criminal Procedures Act, Marine Living Resources Act.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information is gathered from a variety of sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for sources includes but is not limited to:
  • Informants, the public, inspection, stake-outs, road-blocks.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Steps are taken to ensure that evidence is presented in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Evidence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare a case docket in accordance with prosecution requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A case docket is compiled according to legislative requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range includes but is not limited to:
  • All relevant pages of a case docket are completed, accepted procedures are followed, statements are gathered and included, visual and other evidence is collected and incorporated.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Expert evidence on species identification is obtained and prepared in support of case docket preparation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Evidence is prepared in support of a case docket for presentation in court. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for evidence preparation includes checking of statements for accuracy, following of correct procedures as per legislative requirements, compiling of an investigation diary, correct filing of documents pertaining to a case docket.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Present exhibits in support of a prosecution process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Specific evidence of non-compliance with relevant conservation legislation is presented correctly in a court case. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of evidence includes but is not limited to:
  • Concrete and physical, DNA, photographic, eye-witness accounts.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Correct methods of DNA sample collection are applied for the purpose of species identification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Exhibits are presented according to the law of evidence in support of the prosecution process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range for presentation includes but is not limited to:
  • Counting of exhibits to ensure a comprehensive presentation, proper sealing and labeling of exhibits to ensure integrity, correct annotation of evidence to be presented in court.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • Basic criminal justice and legal procedures (e.g. arrest, evidence, crime scene, process of governance).
  • Appropriate Conservation and Environmentally related provincial, national and international legislation, treaties, conventions and agreements.
  • Basic conservation forensics (identify dried Abalone from Venus ear, etc.).
  • Public relations pertaining to conservation compliance.
  • Law of Evidence.
  • Relevant aspects of Criminal Procedures Act.
  • Relevant knowledge pertaining to a crime scene.
  • Relevant Conflict resolution skills.
  • Relevant Negotiating skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork:
  • In order to successfully prosecute offenders or to educate the community on marine conservation matters the fisheries inspector has to be an effective team member. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and -management:
  • It is essential for the fisheries inspector to be well organised and methodical in order to correctly handle, process, prepare and present evidence. Mismanagement of evidence can easily result in technical shortcomings when making a case, and a failed prosecution. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information gathering, organisation, analysis and interpretation:
  • Compilation of a body of evidence requires that the fisheries inspector be skilled at gathering and organising information from a variety of sources, including informants. It is absolutely essential that any information obtained be checked and re-checked for accuracy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication:
  • Presenting evidence in a court of law requires calmness and clarity. The fisheries inspector has to acquire excellent communication skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and technology:
  • Collecting of evidence relies on the latest forensic technology. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Values:

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66149   Further Education and Training Certificate: Fisheries Resource Compliance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.