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.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Wildlife Director Rebecca Williams said there has been a rise in the prevalence of what she described as "very dangerous behaviour."

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

“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 this danger can be prevented by:

• 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," Ms Williams said.

She added that crocodile sightings could be reported to EHP at any time on 1300 130 372 and the department investigated all crocodile reports it receives. 

Further information on crocodiles and being ‘Crocwise’ is available on EHP’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.

Homepage image by Kim Poulsen