Don't leave fish and bait where crocs lie in wait

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Don't leave fish and bait where crocs lie in wait

15 February 2013 - Qld DEHP

Fishers are being warned not to discard fish frames and bait at boat ramps and estuarine fishing spots, as it increases the risk of crocodiles coming into contact with people.

“It’s very dangerous behaviour and we’re seeing more of it,” Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Wildlife Director Rebecca Williams said.

“In croc country, leaving fish and bait scraps can encourage crocs to come into the area where the scraps are discarded.

“When rangers investigate crocodile reports they are often confronted with fish and bait scraps.”

Ms Williams said fish frames and bait were much in evidence during a recent investigation into a crocodile sighting in the Herbert River downstream from Ingham.

“In this case, fish frames had been discarded into a drain, attracting a crocodile that reportedly left the drain, disturbed a family dog and retreated only when the homeowner came to investigate.

“The homeowner reported the croc had a fish frame in its mouth, and we have little doubt that that is what attracted it to the area.”

Ms Williams said that in Queensland, estuarine crocs lived in rivers and the oceans from the Boyne River (near Gladstone) north.

“It’s vitally important that people exercise Crocwise behaviour in known Croc Country.”

Being Crocwise includes:

Never leaving food, fish scraps or bait near the water, a camp site or boat ramp
Obeying croc warning signs
Not swimming in waterways where crocs may live and remembering that crocodiles also swim in the ocean
Standing back from the water when fishing or cast netting
Never provoking, harassing or feeding crocs, and
Always supervising children.
“Crocodiles are more active in the summer mating season where they are moving around looking for a mate and a nesting site.

“Add to this the recent floods and more crocs can be seen as they try to escape fast flowing water.”

Ms Williams said crocodile sightings could be reported to EHP at any time on 1300 130 372 and the department investigated all crocodile reports it receives.