Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-29 focuses on growing economy, social acceptance

A five-step plan to keep the croc industry ‘socially acceptable’ has launched. Here’s why it is needed.

The NT’s crocodile farmers will have a new plan of action to work towards.

A five-step plan to keep the saltwater crocodile industry “socially accepted and environmentally sustainable” has launched.

Centre for Crocodile Research managing director and associate professor Sally Isberg said it was critical to maintain the industry’s “gold standard of conservation”.

There are 21 industry operators across the NT, Queensland, and Western Australia.

“The industry is subject to very high scrutiny and sustainability regulations both in Australia and internationally, and rightly so,” Ms Isberg said.

“We need to maintain a steadfast commitment to ethical practices, otherwise we will cease to exist.”

Ms Isberg said the plan demonstrated that the nation had “set itself up as an example of a world leader” among sensible and sustainable crocodile production practices.

An action plan for the saltwater croc industry has been released.

AgriFutures’ Australian Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-2029 focuses on environmental impact and social license, production efficiency, skin quality, value-added by-products, and resilience.

For example, the plan recommends farmers enhance traceability “from farm to product” and look into ways to reduce carbon emissions, energy, and water use.

Finalised with the support of industry experts, the plan will support the operators’ growth and economic impact.

The saltwater croc industry contributed $54.3 million to the Territory’s economy in the 2014-15 financial year - the most recent data available.

AgriFutures Australia Emerging Industries senior manager Olivia Reynolds said operators’ collaboration in developing the plan was indicative of strong participation.

“We envision the plan’s priorities will enable the industry to maintain its resilience and capability in the coming years while delivering impact for this well-respected emerging industry,” Dr Reynolds said.

“Adoption of new and existing research, as laid out in the plan, will be an important component of the industry’s success moving forward.”