The Parks and Wildlife Commission NT (PWCNT) will act on the findings and recommendations handed down by Coroner Greg Cavanagh today as part of the inquest into the death of two men tragically killed by saltwater crocodiles.
PWCNT
chief executive Andrew Bridges said Mr Cavanagh’s recommendations around public
safety in Top End waters following the inquest into the 2014 deaths of Bill
Scott and Lanh Van Tran were another reminder for locals and tourists to BE CROCWISE.
Mr Bridges
noted the Coroner’s findings that there could be more emphasis on the hidden
dangers that crocodiles pose in the BE CROCWISE
messaging.
“I express
my full sympathy and thanks to the families who participated in this Coronial
Inquest in what has been a traumatic time for them,” Mr Bridges said.
“We will
continue to work with all relevant stakeholders, including the Amateur
Fisherman’s Association of the NT (AFANT), Parks Australia, Northern Territory
Police and interpreter services, along with other relevant Government agencies,
to ensure the BE CROCWISE message
goes as far and wide as possible.
“Fishing
is the lure of the Territory and northern Australia and we will do as much as
we can to help prevent another life being tragically taken by a crocodile.”
The PWCNT
will act on the Coroner’s recommendations including to:
(a)
provide
information to the public about the increased risks of boating and fishing on
Top End waters by reason of crocodile attack including the importance of the
stability and the size of the vessel;
(b) provide information to the public on how those risks can be reduced.
PWCNT in
collaboration with AFANT and Parks Australia (Kakadu NP) recently issued a new
Fishing and Boating in the Top End information sheet that in part advises
anglers and boaties that the smaller the boat, the bigger the risk of croc
attack, which can be found at www.nt.gov.au/becrocwise
The BE CROCWISE campaign started in 2009
and promotes four key safety messages:
o
Crocs are common: Saltwater crocodiles are common in the Northern Territory
and pose a significant risk to human life. There is estimated to be more than 100,000
crocodiles in the wild in the NT.
o Crocs move around: Saltwater crocodiles can be in any Top End waterway at any time. Population studies show while populations are stabilising in some rivers; the average size is increasing as the population ages and more animals are moving further upstream into more marginal habitats.
o Crocs are deadly: Predator adaptations and behaviors.
o Read and Obey all Crocodile Warning Signs: Only swim in safe designated areas and obey all crocodile warning signs.
Ends
Media note – Mr Bridges will not be making further comment at this time