Be Crocwise

The Minister for Parks and Wildlife has launched the latest Be Crocwise: Have you caught on? campaign which gives fishers a chance to win a limited edition Reidy’s Be Crocwise B52 lure.

The Be Crocwise campaign aims to increase community awareness of the increased dangers associated with crocodiles when fishing in Top End Waterways.

Minister  Bess Nungarrayi Price urged all Territorians to Be Crocwise in and around waters in the Top End.

"Territorians love the great outdoors and fishing in the Top End is second to none as a major recreational activity, as well as an important drawcard for visitors to the NT," she said.

"The Territory Government has worked with AFANT and NT Fisheries to develop this campaign to help educate on the dangers of crocodiles and how to Be Crocwise.

"Our government takes public safety very seriously and as we share our waterways with crocodiles, you need to be vigilant about your safety, whether you’re fishing from land or from a boat.

"Territorians are always trying to catch that one-in-a-million fish however it’s important to catch on to this message."

Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT (PWCNT) has done a lot to educate the public since the Be Crocwise campaign was launched in 2009, including rolling out a number of initiatives targeting Territorians involved in fishing and boating.

Amateur Fishermen's' Association of the Northern Territory Executive officer Tristian Sloan welcomed this campaign and said it was important for fishers to realise the dangers of fishing in the Territory.

"Recreational fishing is the Territories most popular pastime," he said. "With the growing population of saltwater crocodiles it is important that recreational fishermen take the initiative to educate themselves on Crocwise behaviour."

From last Friday (March 4),  a weekly “Croc Byte” short information message will be featured weekly on Facebook and website pages for Parks and Wildlife Commission NT,  Amateur Fishermen's' Association NT and NT Fisheries. The campaign will run from Friday, 4 March for 10 weeks.

To be in the running to win a locally-made Reidys B52 limited edition Be Crocwise lure, members of the public are asked to like, comment or share the weekly Croc Byte from any of the above Facebook pages. More at Be Croc Wise.