Crocodylus porosus (Annex B) (Estuarine Crocodile)

Trade in Annex B populations of C. porosus met the ‘overall increase’ criterion, primarily on the basis of ranched skins over the ten year period 2002-2011.  Imports in 2011 primarily comprised captive-bred and ranched skins traded for commercial purposes (14 867 and 14 911 skins, respectively), the majority originating in Australia (76%) and a notable proportion in Papua New Guinea (20%). A smaller quantity of wild-sourced skins was also imported (1274 skins), the vast majority (>99%) originating in Papua New Guinea. Imports of skins from all sources were 31% higher in 2011 compared to 2010; the relative proportions of each source were similar to 2010. The SRG formed a positive opinion for Papua New Guinea on 16/02/2010.

2010 Summary for Crocodylus porosus (Annex B) (Estuarine Crocodile)

Criteria met:  Overall increase

Principal trade term to the EU:  skins

Principal source:  captive-bred, ranched

Top EU importer:  France

Top Trading Partner:  Australia

CITES Appendix:  II (populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)

IUCN Status:  Least Concern

EU-reported imports of Annex B Crocodylus porosus skins from the three main sources (‘W’, ‘C’ and ‘R’), all purposes, 2001-2010.

EU-reported imports from Appendix II/Annex B populations in 2010 principally consisted of skins, the majority of which were captive-bred (12,071 skins) or ranched (10,346 skins); 1,209 wild-sourced skins were also imported. Captive-bred and ranched skins primarily originated in Australia (64% and 96% of skins, respectively), while 98% of the wild-sourced skins were imported directly from Papua New Guinea.

Although C. porosus met the ‘overall increase’ criterion based on imports of skins, quantities of both wild-sourced and ranched skins decreased slightly between 2009 and 2010, while total imports of skins decreased in both 2009 and 2010.

The SRG formed a positive opinion for Papua New Guinea on 16/02/2010.