POLICE are investigating a possible crocodile attack in far north Queensland after concerns about a missing fisherman.
Police have released images of a cast net and thongs found on a beach near Weipa and are asking people who can help identify the owner of the property to come forward.
Volunteers from the State Emergency Service are currently searching the area, which is a known crocodile habitat.
The gear was found by a member of the public about 7am today on the bank of the creek near the carpark of a hotel.
Weipa Town Authority posted a warning of a large "aggressive" crocodile stalking people and dogs on the beach just ten days ago.
WTA chief executive Ian Pressley said police had found a cast net and pair of thongs and were treating the matter as "suspicious"
"There are no signs of a body or an attack," said Mr Pressley.
"We are not aware if anyone has even been reported missing yet.
"But at this stage it is being treated as a possible croc attack, there has been a big one hanging around."
One local Weipa fisherman said tourists had been seen fishing off the beach at in knee deep water in recent days.
The WTA warning on April 24 said: "Recent sighting of a large size crocodile has been reported along the Rocky Point Beach area over the last few days.
"Reports indicate that the crocodile has been stalking people and dogs moving along the beach.
"Numerous sightings of Large Aggressive Crocodile have been reported in Trunding Creek near the Albatross Hotel Resort and Weipa Camping Grounds.
"Please be extra vigilant and cautious while in these areas, but also remember that crocodiles inhabit most waterways on Cape York so caution applies to all these areas."
In the last near-fatal attack, Todd Bairstow, was lucky to survive after he was trapped in the jaws of a crocodile in March 2011.
The Rio Tinto bauxite mine worker was fishing on the banks of Trunding Creek near the Albatross Hotel in Weipa when a 4m crocodile lunged out of the water.
He told how the croc kept rolling "around and around" in the death roll trying to drag him into deeper water.
He revealed how he battled the monster croc which lunged "out of nowhere" and latched onto his leg for 40 minutes by punching it, poking it in the eyes and trying to pull its jaws apart.
Both his legs were broken in the death rolls and he was up to his neck in water when a hero rescuer heard his screams.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.
