Media Release
Crocodiles may take bite of DEET NT Training Awards
Tuesday 30 August 2005
The International College of Advanced Education (ICAE) and their innovative crocodile-catching training program are hoping to take the Training Initiative of the Year category in the forthcoming Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) NT Training Awards.
The other finalists short-listed for the award alongside ICAE are Katherine High School and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.
ICAE’s Bryan Chapman said training Indigenous participants to catch wild crocodiles in a remote Arnhem Land swamp presents challenges not found in most other training programs.
“Participants catch female breeding crocodiles for the Darwin Crocodile Farm at Noonamah,” he said “This generates employment opportunities for those in the country around Arafura Swamp and capitalises on an abundant and renewable resource”.
Jointly funded by DEET, Jobfind and the Noonamah Crocodile Farm, the program yielded 28 animals during the training period.
Participants train for their Certificate I in Seafood Industry (Aquaculture) with ICAE under the expert guidance of crocodile-catcher Nick Robinson, who has over 20 years experience capturing and relocating crocodiles across the Top End.
Mr Chapman said the training is hands-on and involves locating, capturing and transporting the crocodiles safely and humanely from Murwangi to Darwin.
“Skills include the use of purpose-built equipment such as robust traps, the anti-slip capture boat and an array of spotlights, non-injuring harpoons and other crocodile-catching paraphernalia,” he said. Skills are also used within the community to remove rogue crocs and to harvest others for food where necessary.
“Australian saltwater crocodile products are gaining popularity at home and abroad. The offspring of the captured crocs will feature in the fashion houses of Europe, in shoes and handbags, and on plates around the globe—perhaps even on a plate near you!”
The program is expected to develop next year, with a second phase focusing on business and enterprise management skills. Other communities are keen to develop similar programs.
The Awards Presentation will be held on September 10 at a gala dinner in Darwin.
For further information visit the awards website, www.vet.nt.gov.au/awards.