Mr MITCHELL - 1995-02-22
Following the CITES decision last year to downgrade the 'endangered' status of saltwater crocodiles, are there any plans for wild harvesting of saltwater crocodiles to occur in the near future?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Honourable members are aware that there is now an unrestricted listing of the saltwater crocodile under appendix 2. Despite the semi-hysteria which surrounded this government's application to have the listing of saltwater crocodiles changed, our application to CITES noted certain intentions and constraints that would apply to the future management of crocodiles. These were:
In the short term, management of crocodiles in the Territory would remain largely unchanged with no immediate increase in the harvest of adults, sub-adults,
and juveniles beyond those in the existing management program.
In the immediate to long term, more animals would be harvested to increase the benefits gained by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal landholders and to improve
the effectiveness of management of problem animals.
The direct hunting of wild stock and the continuation of existing egg harvest along with the continued monitoring of harvested populations as a means of ensuring
and demonstrating sustainability.
The method of 'direct hunting' was not specified. It is true that, against this background and the constraints, experimental wild harvests are now being planned by the Conservation Commission. These are expected to be carried out over the next 2 years on Aboriginal land, probably near Maningrida. This will do a number of things, including allowing the testing of techniques. The standard method used is based on the Louisiana model and, importantly, it will provide income for Aboriginal communities as well. Also, it will give the Territory an opportunity to demonstrate clearly that there is no detriment to the conservation of the animal as a result of the harvest.
It is fitting that Maningrida has been chosen for the wild harvest. When we spoke to the condolence motion yesterday for Jack Doolan, I was reminded of the book Whispering Wind by Syd Kyle-Little which was mentioned by the Chief Minister. It has a little story about Maningrida. We think that people are crazy about crocodiles today, and I refer members to
Page 434
last Friday's NT News. I know that George Voukolos is a legend in the fishing world, but there is a photograph in that edition with the following caption: 'George Voukolos braves the water at Shady Camp barrage with his 8 kg barra'. The photograph shows George standing with water up to his chest, holding a barramundi across his arms in what surely must be one of the most crocodile-infested parts of the Northern Territory. That is a gutsy effort. I have told honourable members to check their shower recess before they get into it because there might be a crocodile there and this is what wesee in the newspaper.
That type of activity was old-fashioned in Syd Kyle-Little's day too. There was a fellow by the name of Oonabund who worked for Syd Kyle-Little and cadet Jack Doolan. There was one of the biggest crocodiles that they had ever seen in the river near Maningrida. Oonabund looked it over and said: 'Properly him grandfather. This fellow boss longa river. No more shoot im'. That demonstrates that Aboriginal people had feelings for the crocodile and understood the management of the crocodile population. This was in 1940. The book describes what Syd Kyle-Little did: '"Suppose that I bin jump longa water and go full race longa shore - which one win?" - and I pointed to the grandfather crocodile. They both looked and laughed. "I dunno", Oonabund answered, "Might be bahru [crocodile]. Might be balanda"'. With that, Syd Kyle-Little jumped in the water and headed towards the bank. He managed to get there before the crocodile. Oonabund said: 'Boss bin sick long head. Sun bin catch him'. If someone goes into the water at Shady Camp to hold a barra like that, I think 'sun bin catch him' too.
There will be wild harvests and I am proud to announce that it will be done at Maningrida because the Aboriginal people in that area have had a long tradition of living with crocodiles. It will be great to see that sustainable wildlife development occurring in those areas to obtain real economic benefits for Aboriginal communities. It is something that they do extremely well. I hope that the sustainable use of wildlife, not only crocodiles but also many other species, can be extended and will enable Aboriginal people to become involved in such exciting areas of development.
Page 435
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Honourable members are aware that there is now an unrestricted listing of the saltwater crocodile under appendix 2. Despite the semi-hysteria which surrounded this government's application to have the listing of saltwater crocodiles changed, our application to CITES noted certain intentions and constraints that would apply to the future management of crocodiles. These were:
In the short term, management of crocodiles in the Territory would remain largely unchanged with no immediate increase in the harvest of adults, sub-adults,
and juveniles beyond those in the existing management program.
In the immediate to long term, more animals would be harvested to increase the benefits gained by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal landholders and to improve
the effectiveness of management of problem animals.
The direct hunting of wild stock and the continuation of existing egg harvest along with the continued monitoring of harvested populations as a means of ensuring
and demonstrating sustainability.
The method of 'direct hunting' was not specified. It is true that, against this background and the constraints, experimental wild harvests are now being planned by the Conservation Commission. These are expected to be carried out over the next 2 years on Aboriginal land, probably near Maningrida. This will do a number of things, including allowing the testing of techniques. The standard method used is based on the Louisiana model and, importantly, it will provide income for Aboriginal communities as well. Also, it will give the Territory an opportunity to demonstrate clearly that there is no detriment to the conservation of the animal as a result of the harvest.
It is fitting that Maningrida has been chosen for the wild harvest. When we spoke to the condolence motion yesterday for Jack Doolan, I was reminded of the book Whispering Wind by Syd Kyle-Little which was mentioned by the Chief Minister. It has a little story about Maningrida. We think that people are crazy about crocodiles today, and I refer members to
Page 434
last Friday's NT News. I know that George Voukolos is a legend in the fishing world, but there is a photograph in that edition with the following caption: 'George Voukolos braves the water at Shady Camp barrage with his 8 kg barra'. The photograph shows George standing with water up to his chest, holding a barramundi across his arms in what surely must be one of the most crocodile-infested parts of the Northern Territory. That is a gutsy effort. I have told honourable members to check their shower recess before they get into it because there might be a crocodile there and this is what wesee in the newspaper.
That type of activity was old-fashioned in Syd Kyle-Little's day too. There was a fellow by the name of Oonabund who worked for Syd Kyle-Little and cadet Jack Doolan. There was one of the biggest crocodiles that they had ever seen in the river near Maningrida. Oonabund looked it over and said: 'Properly him grandfather. This fellow boss longa river. No more shoot im'. That demonstrates that Aboriginal people had feelings for the crocodile and understood the management of the crocodile population. This was in 1940. The book describes what Syd Kyle-Little did: '"Suppose that I bin jump longa water and go full race longa shore - which one win?" - and I pointed to the grandfather crocodile. They both looked and laughed. "I dunno", Oonabund answered, "Might be bahru [crocodile]. Might be balanda"'. With that, Syd Kyle-Little jumped in the water and headed towards the bank. He managed to get there before the crocodile. Oonabund said: 'Boss bin sick long head. Sun bin catch him'. If someone goes into the water at Shady Camp to hold a barra like that, I think 'sun bin catch him' too.
There will be wild harvests and I am proud to announce that it will be done at Maningrida because the Aboriginal people in that area have had a long tradition of living with crocodiles. It will be great to see that sustainable wildlife development occurring in those areas to obtain real economic benefits for Aboriginal communities. It is something that they do extremely well. I hope that the sustainable use of wildlife, not only crocodiles but also many other species, can be extended and will enable Aboriginal people to become involved in such exciting areas of development.
Page 435
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016