Whenever you’re near the ocean, a river, a lake, a billabong, or any body of water in the Top End, you are in croc country, so Be Crocwise.
The Territory is home to thousands of freshwater crocs and an estimated 100,000 salties, who sit firmly at the top of the food chain. Fishos, crocs are probably your biggest competition when it comes to bagging a barra.
They’ve also been known to attack boats and people, but if you remember to Be Crocwise, you’ll reduce your risk of a nasty encounter. Remember – salties can be found in freshwater or saltwater, so you are likely to see a croc or two on your fishing adventures. If you don’t see them, rest assured, they are there.
STAY SAFE WHILE FISHING & BOATING:
- Stay alert when launching or retrieving your boat
- Don’t lean out of your boat or dangle your arms or legs over the side and remember, the smaller the boat, the bigger the risk
- Stand at least five meters back from the water’s edge while fishing from land, and never stand on overhanging logs
- Dispose of your fishing rubbish well away from the water’s edge
- Do not enter or lean over the water to retrieve a lure
- Obey all crocodile warning signs; they are there for your protection
- Avoid paddling, cleaning fish, preparing food, washing or carrying out repetitive actions at the water’s edge or boatside
- Always use landing nets when bringing in fish
- Never provoke or harass crocodiles
- Always report problem or aggressive crocodiles (in Darwin call 0419 822 859, in Katherine call 0407 958 405, in Kakadu call (08) 8938 1120)
- If fishing at night, illuminate the outside of your boat so you can see what is around you, and stay back from the edge of the boat
- Use wire crab traps to make it harder for crocodiles to access your bait and catch
- Get out of the water as quickly as possible if you fall in
- Do not interfere with crocodile traps
STAY SAFE WHILE CAMPING:
- Camp at least 50m from the water’s edge
- Avoid places where animals and livestock drink
- Avoid returning to the same spot at the water’s edge to fill your bucket
- Never prepare food, wash dishes or do other tasks near the water’s edge or next to sloping banks
- Fill up your bucket and move away from the water’s edge quickly
- Dispose of food scraps, fishing rubbish and other waste in bins away from your campsite, and check that other campers have not left these things behind
For more information visit www.becrocwise.nt.gov.au