Economic values for skin grade, days to market and number of hatchlings in the Australian saltwater crocodile industry

Abstract

<p>The saltwater crocodile industry in northern Australia produces skins for high-value leather products. Most eggs are harvested from the wild, providing multiple livelihood benefits to rural and Aboriginal communities in the area. Economic values derived from an independent model for each trait were AU$620.40 for skin grade (a binary trait), AU$-0.95/day for days to market and AU$105.30/hatchling for number of hatchlings per clutch. Economic values were converted to economic weights expressed on the basis of a clutch of the breeding female for a comparison among traits. Based on phenotypic standard deviations of traits, skin grade had the highest emphasis (50%) followed by days to market (38%). Economic values derived in this study should be used to assist management decisions. Setting up structured breeding programs for saltwater crocodiles in northern Australia is less desirable given the wider benefits of harvesting eggs from the wild for rural and Aboriginal communities.</p>