Qld Crocodile Plan Submissions Due

[luigi]

Anyone considering ever fishing or even visiting Queensland’s crocodile country should have their say by making a submission on the draft estuarine crocodile conservation plan. Time is fast running out so please don't put it off.


Written submissions should be made by 4 May 2007. These should be addressed to the Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism and sent to:
Estuarine Crocodile Conservation Plan
Wildlife Management and Education
Conservation Services
Environmental Protection Agency
PO Box 15155
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Or e-mail: crocodile.plan@epa.qld.gov.au
Full details of the plan can be seen on the website: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/native_animals/living_with_wildlife/crocodiles/draft_estuarine_crocodile_conservation_plan/

For what it’s worth, the following is my submission which I hope may be of assistance. Please feel free to use the content in any way you choose:

Estuarine Crocodile Conservation Plan - Submission


Overall

Crocodiles, upon identification, should be immediately removed from areas of population and public facilities.

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Section 38 of the plan reads that you will be breaking the law if your boat or your motor vehicle is within 10 metres of a crocodile anywhere in the wild.The plan is not just referring to crocodiles in "protected areas", - it's everywhere. The listed example of a reasonable excuse is fair enough but don't kid yourself about the "reasonable excuse" being an escape clause for not seeing a crocodile - try telling Police that you didn't see a speed sign or stop sign and you will soon find out that not seeing or being aware of something is not a valid or reasonable excuse.

This section not only appears to be absurd, it's seems completely over the top. It appears to be example of planning incompetence. I can understand the intent (I think) of Section 38 and suggest something like the following could be substituted:

38 Proximity to estuarine crocodiles
A person in control of a boat or vehicle who deliberately and knowingly comes within 10 metres of a crocodile in the wild will be in breach of this Plan unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Example of a reasonable excuse—
a person in control of a boat is passing a crocodile in a river and the
distance between the crocodile and each bank of the river is less than
10m
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

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Section 39 seems to be trying to legislate against human stupidity. It is impractical, unenforceable and downright stupid. The way it’s worded could lead to ridiculous prosecutions for launching a boat or netting for bait etc.
As such, the three points mentioned in the plan should be deleted. In my opinion, the following would be more appropriate to cover the implied intent of this section:

39 Conduct in parts of protected area where estuarine
crocodiles are or may be present
A person must not swim in a part of a protected area if a sign in or near the part states No Swimming due to the possible presence of estuarine crocodiles.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

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100 maximum penalty units seem far too high for this type of minor offence. 10 units appear to be more appropriate, although that is arguably too high also.


Cheers - Lou

[nonibbles]

for those unaware one penalty unit currently sits at $75