Hands-on: Tagging, fitting satellite transmitters and releasing crocs of the size of this 4.35m male were all part of a day's work for Mark Read in this file picture.

The Far North's crocodile response teams will be managed from Townsville and Brisbane, despite more than 45 croc sightings in Cairns in the past year.

Only seven crocs have been sighted in Townsville in the same time.

Former Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service conservation services manager Mark Read left Cairns last month and his second-in-charge, team leader Scott Sullivan, is based in Townsville.

Dr Read handled recommendations for crocodile management, approving the appropriate action and conducting research projects.

It is believed his position will not be replaced, with responsibility for croc management decisions now in the hands of Mr Sullivan in Townsville, and bureaucrats in Brisbane.

An Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman said Dr Read made a "great contribution to crocodile research and management while he was with the EPA".

"He also spent a lot of time and effort training and mentoring our staff, as well as people from other organisations, in croc work," the spokeswoman said.

However, she said the wildlife unit in Cairns would continue to provide "unaffected service delivery".

"Team leaders will report to Brisbane but the day-to-day management decisions will, as now, be made in the region," the spokeswoman said.

Footprint Crocodile Research's Brian Harris said Dr Read’s departure was a "loss for Cairns", but he did not see it as a problem from a crocodile management point of view.

"I think the guys they've got there (at QPWS) are highly qualified," Mr Harris said.

Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne said he also was not concerned with Dr Read’s departure.

"They’ve recently changed a lot of the crocodile management guidelines," Cr Byrne said.

"If we need to react to an issue locally, we will. If QPWS can’t do it, we’ll do it."