Wildlife trade and conservation
All Australian and overseas species of crocodile and alligator are listed on either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 to the Wildlife Protection Act (Appendix I or II of CITES, respectively). This affords crocodiles and alligators the high level of international protection required by CITES.
The trade in native crocodile products (e.g; skins, skin products and meat) is strictly controlled. The export of all crocodile products from Australia requires a permit from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts prior to the export and irrespective of the age of the item.
Crocodiles are harvested throughout northern Australia. Crocodile operations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory involve ranching, i.e. captive breeding supplemented with wild harvesting. In Queensland, however, crocodile products are obtained solely by farming. It is illegal to capture wild crocodiles in Queensland unless a licence has been granted under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992. Any person or organisation proposing to farm crocodiles must be prepared to do considerable research into various aspects of crocodile husbandry and farming. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will only consider fully documented and soundly based proposals for crocodile farming.
EXPORT OF AUSTRALIAN CROCODILE PRODUCTS
Personal exports
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts issues CITES personal effects permits (cost $1.00) to manufacturers of Australian crocodile products. The permits may be attached only to manufactured products such as handbags, belts and wallets that are derived from animals bred in captivity or taken under approved ranching operations. Products attached to a CITES personal effects permit may only be exported where the product is leaving the country as personal luggage (i.e. luggage that accompanies a person on the same flight or boat).
Personal items that are sent via post or courier (i.e. not exported as personal luggage) require an export permit issued by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Commercial exports and re-exports
Permits are required for the commercial export of all parts, products and substances derived from crocodiles. Permits may be granted provided that the products:
- are derived from an animal bred in a captive breeding operation approved by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts;
- are derived from an animal taken under approved ranching operations;
- were imported into Australia prior to May 1984 (proof of import required); or
- were imported into Australia under a permit issued by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Applications for permits should be supported by documentation which supports one of the above and a $30 fee applies
Live animals
Export of live Australian native crocodiles for private or commercial purposes is prohibited.