NZQA registered unit standard / 16340 version 4
Page 4 of 4
Title / Describe the biology of the New Zealand Greenshell mussel (kutai, kuku)
Level / 3 / Credits / 5
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the GreenshellÔ mussel (kutai, kuku); locate and identify the anatomical features of the GreenshellÔ mussel; describe the feeding, reproduction and life cycle of the GreenshellÔ mussel; describe the factors that impact on the growth of the GreenshellÔ mussel; and describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate potential GreenshellÔ mussel health issues.
Classification / Seafood > Aquaculture
Available grade / Achieved

Explanatory notes

Definition

In the title of this unit standard ‘New Zealand Greenshell mussel’ refers to GreenshellÔ mussels (kutai, kuku).

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Describe the GreenshellÔ mussel (kutai, kuku).

Evidence requirements

1.1 The description includes the scientific name of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

1.2 The description includes the distinguishing features of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Range evidence is required for three features.

1.3 The description includes the habitat of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

1.4 The description includes the geographical location of the GreenshellÔ mussel marine farm.

Range evidence is required for three farm locations.

Outcome 2

Locate and identify the anatomical features of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Evidence requirements

2.1 The exterior anatomical features of a GreenshellÔ mussel are located and identified.

Range left and right shell, periostracum, byssus (beard).

2.2 The interior anatomical features of a GreenshellÔ mussel are located and identified.

Range foot, gills, labial palps, adductor muscle, gut, gonad, mantle.

2.3 The description includes an outline of the function of each anatomical feature.

Range left and right shell, periostracum, byssus (beard), foot, gills, labial palps, adductor muscle, gut, gonad, mantle.

2.4 The sex of the GreenshellÔ mussel is determined.

Outcome 3

Describe the feeding, reproduction and life cycle of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Evidence requirements

3.1 The description includes an outline of the stages of the life cycle of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Range stages include – egg, sperm, trochophore, veliger, spat, juvenile, adult.

3.2 The description includes an outline of the feeding method and food source at each life cycle stage.

Range stages include – egg, sperm, trochophore, veliger, spat, juvenile, adult.

3.3 The description includes an outline of the stages of the reproductive cycle.

Range gonad development, natural triggers for spawning.

Outcome 4

Describe the factors that impact on the growth of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Evidence requirements

4.1 The description includes methods of measuring the growth of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Range two methods.

4.2 The description identifies factors that can affect the growth of the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Range growth factors may include but are not limited to – water temperature, water quality, food quality, food availability, mussel age, stress;

evidence is required for four factors.

4.3 The description includes the impact of each factor on the growth of the Green shellÔ mussel.

Outcome 5

Describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate potential Green shellÔ mussel health issues.

Evidence requirements

5.1 The description outlines abnormal features and/or behaviours that could indicate a potential health issue with the GreenshellÔ mussel.

Range five abnormal features and/or behaviours.

5.2 The description includes the action to take if abnormal features and/or behaviours are identified and the reasons why this action is important.

Range two reasons.

Planned review date / 31 December 2014

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment /
Registration / 1 / 21 April 1999 / 31 December 2012
Review / 2 / 25 February 2003 / 31 December 2012
Review / 3 / 24 August 2006 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 17 June 2011 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0123

This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558 / ÓNew Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014