TyMilsom

Weipa wary of cunning crocs

12/03/2009 4:00:00 AM

CROCODILES harassing fishermen have become a major problem in waters around Weipa, with two reported incidents in recent weeks.
Weipa panel beater Kyle Brogan was harassed by a large saltwater crocodile while fishing from his boat in a local creek on February 29, forcing him to make a hasty retreat.

Mr Brogan, 32, works for Weipa Smash Repairs and went fishing in his 4m-long dinghy at Andoom Creek, on what he hoped would be a quiet morning involving plenty of fish.

But neither occurred, with Mr Brogan eventually cutting his trip short after the crocodile hung around his boat in what he described as a menacing manner.

The North Queensland Register saw Mr Brogan not long after his croc encounter, as he sat near his Toyota Hilux after leaving the area.

Ironically, there were crocodile warning signs where Mr Brogan reflected on his dealing with the reptile.

"I was lure casting up the creek and spotted a croc which was a fair way off at first, then came closer to the boat," Mr Brogan said.

"It was about 3.5m long and just got too close to the boat for comfort."

Mr Brogan was by himself and decided to be safe rather than sorry and motored to another location. However, when the fish were not biting, Mr Brogan went back to the former spot hoping the crocodile had gone.

But Mr Brogan soon left after he saw the crocodile again surface and come closer to his boat.

"The croc came back near the boat so I thought that was the right time to stop and leave," he said.

Mr Brogan hails from Sydney and came to Weipa two years ago for a holiday and loves the fishing around Cape York.

Twenty-year-old fisherman Meshek Gray has called on authorities to relocate a troublesome crocodile from near the Evans Landing beach at Weipa after it stalked him and a relative at night.

Mr Gray went down to Gondung Beach at Evans Landing about 8.30pm on March 1 and soon realised a large crocodile was not far from him.

"My cousin was with me and it was 10m away and we could see its eyes – we kept an eye on it and it was waiting for a chance to strike," Mr Gray said.

Keen angler Mr Gray is mindful that many crocodiles live in waters off beaches around Weipa, Napranum and other nearby places.

Normally he would not bother making his concerns public but said that it was the same croc which had been photographed a few weeks before.

"It was eating a stingray in the pic and is the same croc – it is big and dangerous and could soon get a human or a dog," he said.

Mr Gray said he caught a small shark, which the crocodile slithered onto the beach to eat just as they were packing up for the night.

"Earlier on, it swam over to near where somebody was rowing in a small dinghy and was following the boat, so it is comfortable around people," he said.

Mr Gray hails from Yarrabah, near Cairns, and said he realised crocodiles were an integral part of the marine environment. But he said with so many people fishing near Evans Landing, it was time for authorities to trap and relocate this one.

"It may be as big as 5m long and was hanging around and lurking and must be removed," he said.

Weipa wary of cunning crocs - State News - Agribusiness and General - General - North Queensland Register