Thailand is the world's largest exporter of crocodile products, thanks to its thriving crocodile farm industry. And export figures are set to grow even larger if its proposal to remove its crocodiles from the list of critically endangered species gets the green light.
The decision will be made today at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) in Bangkok.
"Our proposal is based on the balance between trade and conservation," Wimol Jantrarotai, director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives's Fisheries Department, said.
At present saltwater and Siamese crocodiles are included in Cites' Appendix I, which covers species under the threat of extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted in rare, exceptional circumstances.
The population of saltwater and Siamese crocodiles in natural habitats has nearly been eliminated due to over hunting and habitat degradation and loss. But Thailand's commercial crocodile farming sector is one of the biggest in the world.
A variety of species have been raised in captivity for commercial purpose for several decades to supply raw materials for the leather industry. "There is no trade of wild crocodiles in Thailand," Mr Wimol said.
Thailand wants its crocodiles moved to Appendix II, which covers species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but whose trade must be controlled to ensure their survival.
Thailand started farming crocodiles in 1937. So far, the number of crocodiles in the farms has increased to 700,000. Some 600,000 are Siamese crocodiles while 100,000 are saltwater crocodiles.
The Department of Fisheries says products derived from crocodiles include skin, meat and leather products. The largest exporter of such goods is Thailand, followed by Vietnam.
Out of the 836 crocodile farms registered with the Thai authorities, only 23 Siamese crocodile farms and 13 saltwater crocodile farms are registered with Cites for international trade.
However, under Appendix I, the export of crocodile products is still limited. Many countries, including the US, do not allow crocodile products from Thailand because they ban imports derived from species listed as endangered.
"We face the same situation in some European countries ," said Yosaphol Temsiripongs, president of the cooperative of crocodile farmers, and an executive of one of the country's biggest crocodile farms, run by the Sriracha Group in Chon Buri province.
He said the crocodile industry in Thailand operates according to international standards. "There is demand [for our products] in markets worldwide. But we can export only to some countries even though we produce a large number of crocodiles in captivity," he said.
If Thailand's farmed crocodiles are transferred to Appendix II, Thai crocodile products will find more markets overseas while remaining under the strict control of Cites and national laws, he said.
"We still need licences and permits for crocodile farming and export to ensure crocodiles in the wild are not under threat," he said.
Currently, the industry generates about revenues of 4 billion baht a year and employs about 10,000 people.
In order to be included under Appendix II, a species must not be under threat of extinction and specimens in the wild must not be harvested. There must also be clear rules that are effectively enforced to distinguish between wild crocodiles and commercial crocodiles.
"We have an abundance of crocodiles raised in farms to harvest. It is not worth the trouble to take crocodiles from the wild," Mr Wimol said.
The farms here are also fully equipped to produce their own specimens, unlike ranch farms in other countries where they collect eggs from natural habitats to hatch and raise in captivity, he said.
"These countries with ranch farms have successfully transferred their crocodile populations from Appendix I to Appendix II. So why can't Thailand, with 100 % captive breeding, be allowed to do the same?" he said. If it turns out that Thailand fails to comply with Cites' rules in preserving the wild population, then Thai crocodiles could be transferred back to Appendix I, he said.
At present, the number of crocodiles in the wild is very small. According to studies, about 200 are left in three protected areas, including Khao Ang Ru Nai wildlife sanctuary in Chachoengsao province and Phu Khiew wildlife sanctuary in Chaiyaphum province. There are about 100 crocodiles in the Beung Boraphet non-hunting area in Nakhon Sawan province. Furthermore, a number of females are found laying eggs in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province every year.
"[Wild crocodiles] are in protected areas where there has been strict law enforcement against smuggling of any wildlife species," Mr Wimol said, adding that Thailand is committed to the reintroduction of crocodiles into the wild.
Not everyone is convinced. Some delegates at the Cites meet are still concerned that relaxing regulations will encourage wild crocodile smuggling from neighbouring countries into Thailand.
Opponents include international conservation groups IUCN, Traffic and Species Survival Network. They say Thai crocodiles should stay under Appendix I as their numbers remain too low.
Critics say the push for the transfer to Appendix II has more to do with economic gains than species conservation.
When Nile crocodiles in many African countries were transferred from Appendix I to Appendix II, populations in the wild suffered as wild eggs were harvested for ranches. But it may turn out differently in Thailand, which raises them in closed facilities for the full cycle.
"It is best to maintain both Thai populations of crocodile species in Appendix I," Ronald Orenstein, a representative from Species Survival Network said. "Farms should be urged to improve their standards and register with Cites for international trade. The government should put more effort into the conservation scheme. And natural habitats should be restored for crocodile conservation too."
Tunya Sukpanich is Senior Writer, Bangkok Post.