RANGERS are hunting a "problem croc" that bit a snorkeller at Lizard Island.

The Environmental Protection Agency is chasing the 1.8m croc, which shredded the stinger suit of the snorkeller at Watsons Bay at the island, north of Cairns, on Sunday.

EPA wildlife management director Nick Rigby said the man was not seriously hurt.

"I understand the man’s stinger suit was torn," Mr Rigby said.

"His skin was not punctured and he sustained a small red mark on his arm which was treated with
antiseptic.

"If the animal can be caught, it will be removed from the area."

He said the EPA was also investigating sightings of a 1.8m crocodile at nearby Anchor Bay.

Meanwhile, Far Northern crocodile farms are cashing in on what they say are growing numbers of croc captures, with big-spending European buyers paying thousands for the skins.

Melaleuca Crocodile Farm, one of three businesses who buy captured crocs from the EPA, report surging skin demand is leading to tidy profits.

Farm manager Peter Fisher said overseas fashion proprietors were paying big bucks for the croc’s outer coat.

"Skin prices are going through the roof," he said.

"We’re up to 10 to 12 per cent in selling price over last year."

Mr Fisher breeds captured crocs and then skins their babies at an older age.

He said crocs cost up to $220 per metre depending on their sex with farmers receiving about 5 per cent of the selling price of standard croc skin accessories.

Crocodile-skin handbags can start around $30,000 in well-known fashion outlets in Europe.

With Melaleuca housing around 200 female crocs laying an average of 50 eggs per year, the skin industry is producing financial fireworks for farmers.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures wildlife manager David Leyden said skin was their biggest seller.

"Our No. 1 seller is skin, whatever we produce, everything has always sold fine," he said.

Mr Leyden’s farm is not registered to receive captured crocs but he did not rule out an application in the future.

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