Sustainable Use of Crocodiles
The Management Program for Saltwater Crocodiles in the Northern Territory 2009-2014 was approved by the Australian Government on 29 September 2009. The program sets the total crocodile egg harvest quota for the 2009-2010 harvest season at a maximum of 50,000 live eggs. Before the closing date of 30 September 2009 for applications for egg harvest in the 2009-2010 season the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport had received applications for a harvest of more than 80,000 eggs. This total request is obviously substantially more than the maximum total harvest.
Please note that permits issued for the 2009-2010 season will not total more than 50,000 live eggs.
To ensure transparency and fairness, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport has developed a set of criteria that will be applied equitably across all applications, when determining this year’s allocations. Allocations have also been considered in a regional catchment context. These criteria and a map showing the regional catchments and recent harvest levels from these catchments are available at this web-site. There are uncertainties surrounding some Aboriginal Lands and relevant permissions to harvest eggs from these lands. Indicative allocations for these areas cannot be released until the uncertainties are clarified.
Compliance
Breaches of permit conditions (including over-harvesting) have the potential to affect the entire industry and will be dealt with appropriately. NRETAS will respond swiftly and appropriately to any identified breaches, using a range of measures from the issuing of warning letters and/or infringement notices for minor offences, through to prosecutions for major breaches of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.
There will be a high degree of focus on compliance, including inspections, in the 2009-2010 season. The new permits issued will also have updated conditions. These will include but are not limited to:
- Ensuring the number of live eggs taken is within the permitted number;
- Providing NRETAS with details (by phone fax or email) of when and where egg harvesting will occur;
- Nominating which crocodile farm eggs are destined for;
- Providing monthly returns stating the total number (clutch size) and number of live eggs harvested and the GPS locations of harvested nests. This information is to be provided within seven days of the end of each month for which permit the permit is valid.
10 year Strategy
Similarly, NRETAS is currently developing a 10-year Sustainable Use Crocodile Industry Strategy based on the workshops held with key stakeholders in September 2008 and March 2009. We will invite and welcome feedback and input into this document as it progresses.
