COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE MANAGEMENT PLAN – SALTWATER CROCODILE (CROCODYLUS POROSUS) IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA 2026 - 2030
I, Sam Hush, Branch Head, Wildlife Trade and Regulatory Capability Branch, as Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water declare under subsection 303FO(2) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), that the Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia 2026 – 2030, prepared by the Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, is an approved Wildlife Trade Management Plan for the purposes of section 303FO of the EPBC Act.
This declaration has effect subject to the following conditions applied under section 303FT:
- Commercial farming of crocodiles in the Northern Territory for export must be conducted in accordance with the Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia 2026 – 2030 (the Plan).
- A maximum of 90,000 viable Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) eggs can be harvested from the wild in the Northern Territory per year for the purposes of commercial export.
- A maximum of 1,200 Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) larger that 60cm in length can be harvested from the wild in the Northern Territory per year for the purpose of commercial export.
- The Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment must submit an annual report to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water by 30 June each year (for the previous calendar year). The annual report must include details of:
- Progress against performance indicators outlined in Table 1: Management Actions to be undertaken under the WTMP and their relevant Timeline and Performance indicators of the Wildlife Trade Management Plan for Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia 2026 – 2030.
- Harvest statistics including:
- Number of Saltwater Crocodile eggs taken from the wild.
- Number of viable Saltwater Crocodile eggs taken from the wild.
- Number of problem Saltwater Crocodiles taken from the wild.
- Number of Saltwater Crocodiles taken from the wild for commercial purposes.
- Number of permits issued for commercial wild harvest and problem crocodile removal.
- Number of Saltwater Crocodile eggs and live animals exported from, and imported into the Northern Territory.
- Number of Saltwater Crocodiles and Saltwater Crocodile eggs held by each crocodile farm.
- Number of Saltwater Crocodile eggs hatched by each crocodile farm.
- Number of natural and euthanasia mortalities of Saltwater Crocodiles and Saltwater Crocodile eggs at each crocodile farm.
- Industry compliance indicators.
- This declaration is valid for five years from the day after its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation (FRL).
Dated this 1st day December 2025
Sam Hush
………….…….……………………….........
Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water
Under section 266 of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (ART Act), decision-makers must give notice of a decision and review rights to any person affected by the decision (section 266 of the ART Act). In giving the notice, decision-makers must have regard to the Administrative Review Tribunal Rules 2024 (section 267 of the ART Act).
A person whose interests are affected by this decision may, within 28 days, apply in writing to the Department of the Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, for the statement of reasons for the decision (section 268 of the ART Act).
If they are not satisfied with the decision, or the statement of reasons, an application for independent merits review of the decision (under section 303GJ(1) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), on payment of the relevant fee (currently $1,121 or reduced fee where applicable due to financial hardship) by the applicant.
This can take place either within 28 days of receipt of the reasons for the decision, or within 28 days of this declaration, if reasons for the decision are not sought. Applications should be made directly to the ART. Please visit the ART’s website at https://www.art.gov.au/ for further information. You can provide feedback or make a complaint about the general services ART staff provide relating to your case through the enquiry form provided on the ART website linked above.
You may make an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to access documents relevant to this decision. For further information, please visit https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/reporting/freedom-of-information.
Further enquiries should be directed to: Director of Wildlife Trade Assessments, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Telephone: (Australia) 1800 075 065 or (international) +61 5156 5063 Email: wta@dcceew.gov.au.
Overview
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was enacted to provide for the protection of the environment, particularly with respect to matters of national environmental significance, and to establish mechanisms for the assessment and approval of activities that may have a significant impact on the environment. This legislation addresses the need for a comprehensive framework to manage and conserve Australia's biodiversity and environmental heritage, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources while protecting critical ecosystems and species. The EPBC Act is administered by the Parliament of Australia, with the objective of safeguarding the environment through effective regulation and oversight of activities that could potentially harm Australia's unique flora, fauna, and ecosystems. The declaration of an approved Wildlife Trade Management Plan for the saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory from 2026 to 2030, under this Act, exemplifies the policy objective of balancing economic activities, such as commercial farming and export of crocodile products, with conservation imperatives to ensure the long-term viability of the species and its habitat.
Scope and Application
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, through its declaration of an approved Wildlife Trade Management Plan for the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia for the period 2026 to 2030, applies to all commercial farming and harvesting activities of saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory, with a particular focus on export activities. This Act imposes specific limits on the number of crocodile eggs and adult crocodiles that can be harvested from the wild for commercial purposes, setting a maximum of 90,000 viable eggs and 1,200 crocodiles over 60cm in length per year. Furthermore, the Plan mandates that all commercial farming and harvesting activities must adhere to the outlined management actions and timelines. Additionally, the Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is required to submit an annual report detailing various performance and compliance metrics to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water by 30 June each year. This declaration is effective for a period of five years following its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of this legislation, as declared by Sam Hush, Branch Head, Wildlife Trade and Regulatory Capability Branch, under subsection 303FO(2) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), pertain to the approval of the Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia for the years 2026 to 2030. This approval is subject to specific conditions (subsection 303FT). These conditions include the requirement for commercial farming of crocodiles in the Northern Territory for export to be conducted in accordance with the Plan (subsection 303FT(1)). Additionally, the Plan imposes a limit on the number of viable crocodile eggs that can be harvested from the wild annually, capping it at 90,000 eggs (subsection 303FT(2)). Furthermore, there is a limit of 1,200 crocodiles larger than 60cm in length that can be harvested from the wild annually for commercial export (subsection 303FT(3)). The Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is mandated to submit an annual report by 30 June each year to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, detailing progress against performance indicators, harvest statistics, and other relevant metrics as outlined in the Plan (subsection 303FT(4)).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this legislation are primarily on the commercial entities involved in the farming and export of saltwater crocodiles. These entities must adhere strictly to the guidelines and limitations set forth in the Wildlife Trade Management Plan, ensuring that their operations comply with the approved parameters. The Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment has the responsibility of overseeing compliance and must prepare and submit an annual report as mandated by the legislation. This report must include comprehensive details on the progress of management actions, harvest statistics, and other specified indicators. Additionally, the department must ensure that all commercial activities related to crocodile farming and export are conducted in a manner that aligns with the approved Plan.
Any breaches of the obligations and requirements set forth in this legislation may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is implied that non-compliance could lead to legal actions. Typically, under the EPBC Act, breaches may incur fines and other penalties as prescribed by law. Given the context, penalties could potentially include significant fines for over-harvesting or non-compliance with the approved management plan, reflecting the seriousness with which such environmental regulations are treated.