Campers of fishers who feed and interact with crocodiles in Queensland will now run the risk of incurring even heavier fines.
Two new offences have been introduced making it unlawful to unintentionally feed a crocodile by discarding food and remaining in close proximity to a crocodile.
Discarding food, including fish frames, scraps and bait, in a way that may attract crocodiles to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area can now result in an on-the-spot fine of $483 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $6,452.
Knowingly remaining within close proximity to a crocodile that is on, or partly on, land can now result in an on-the-spot fine of $806 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $16,130.
A crocodile basking on the bank of Water Park Creek near Byfield National Park. PIC: Queensland DES
This offence complements the existing ‘disturbing’ offence which prevents people from approaching or pursuing a crocodile or driving a boat or vehicle within 10 metres of it.
Conservation officers now also have the power to direct people to move away from a crocodile to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.
The State Government has also significantly increased penalties for existing offences which aim to deter people from engaging in behaviours that pose a serious risk to public safety and animal conservation.
The on-the-spot fine for deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles has increased from $483 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed fine increasing from $6452 to $26,615.
The on-the-spot fine for interfering with a crocodile trap has increased from $645 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed fine increasing from $19,356 to $26,615.
The Governemnet says feeding crocodiles increases the risk to public safety as the reptiles loiter around public places such as boat ramps, marinas, and tourist locations waiting for a feed.
Discarded food sources and habituation to humans can lead to changes in animal behaviour and are the main reasons for the removal of problem crocodiles outside active removal zones.
Minister for the Environment, Leanne Linard, said the State Government was serious about keeping people safe in Croc Country.
“These new offences and increased fines are designed to reduce the risks associated with deliberately feeding and interacting with estuarine crocodiles,” she said. “People may think feeding crocs or interacting with them is fun or harmless, but experience shows that doing so increases the risk to public safety.”
Ms Linard said the Government was investing more than $4.9 million in crocodile management this year, ‘and we will continue to listen to the experts, stakeholders and the wider community to ensure we are managing our crocodile population appropriately and effectively to meet our community protection and conservation goals’.
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Won’t be any waterholes left in the Top End to visit soon…Hard to go anywhere now without being in close proximity to a Croc..
You don’t have to go looking for them..they’re always watching YOU..
Take care n be safe..!!
Does this include tourist boat rides where they come up alongside (within 10m) crocs and get them jump up right next to a boat to snatch food?
Can’t agree more with the comment regarding tourism operators encouraging the crocs to come up to their boats and feeding them. I’m sure that crocs can’t differentiate between the recreational craft (which aren’t designed for this purpose) and tourist boats. It should be a ban across the board and those who want to interact with crocs go to a croc park.
You are so right well said.
Can’t stand ‘chicken on a stick’ tourist boat rides forcing the crocs to do tricks
The crock management is a joke run by greenies who think the priority is the crocks. People who live in the north are now not able to swim in well known “people friendly” water holes because crocks have moved in and have taken priority. If lives matter use some common sense and not some money grabbing “fine rather than fun” rules. Go figure!