New offences and increased fines to crack down on feeding, interfering with crocs

• The Miles Government is cracking down on people feeding and interacting with crocodiles in an effort to further boost community safety.
• Two new offences are now in force for discarding food scraps in a way that may attract crocodiles, and for being in close proximity to a crocodile on land.
• The penalties for existing offences of deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles and interfering with a crocodile trap have also been significantly increased.

The Miles Government has moved to further enhance public safety in Queensland’s Croc Country by introducing new offences and increased fines for people who feed and interact with crocodiles.

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.

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. This offence complements the existing ‘disturbing’ offence which prevents people from approaching or pursuing a crocodile or driving a boat or vehicle within 10m 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 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.

People are responsible for their own safety in Croc Country, but public safety is everyone’s responsibility, and to help keep people safe, the government is delivering an enhanced and ongoing Be Crocwise public safety campaign.

Together, these initiatives will make Croc Country safer for all, while preserving these iconic and prehistoric animals for future generations.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, Leanne Linard:

“The Miles Government is 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.

“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.

“The Miles Government is 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.”

Further information:

Be Crocwise tips for people in Croc Country:

• Expect crocodiles in ALL waterways from Rockhampton north, even if there is no warning sign
• Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
• Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
• Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating
• The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
• Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure
• Camp well back from the water
• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, at camp sites or at boat ramps
• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
• Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead

Further information on how to Be Crocwise is available at: www.qld.gov.au/becrocwise.

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339