The Torres Strait Region

The Torres Strait region covers an area of more than 35 000 square kilometres, of which 2.6 percent is terrestrial land, 6.2 percent tidally inundated reef flats, and 91.2 percent open seas, most of which are relatively shallow. There are more than 100 islands and a multitude of cays, sandbanks and coral reefs scattered throughout the region, which stretches 200 kilometres from the tip of Cape York Peninsula (also referred to as the Northern Peninsula Area) to the south-west coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Located on one of the world’s most extensive continental shelves, the Torres Strait has long been recognised for its ecological complexity and biodiversity. The region provides a multitude of habitats and niches for the highly diverse Indo-Pacific marine fauna. The clear waters and coral reefs to the east, above the most northerly section of the Great Barrier Reef, provide rich fishing grounds. Marine turtles are found throughout the entire region. Extensive seagrass beds occur in the western and northern areas, forming critical habitat for resident dugong populations.

View Map of the Torres Strait Region

Ecological Significance of the Region

The Torres Strait region is recognised for its ecological complexity and biodiversity. There are several significant features that contribute to its uniqueness:

• A relatively pristine environment, compared with more populated regions of Australia. There is a diverse range of island landforms. The region has significant tropical marine ecosystems and populations of important and vulnerable marine species, including the most important dugong habitat in the world.
• The Torres Strait marine environment is of national and international significance. Located at the junction of the Arafura and Coral Seas, it is a major shipping route for transit between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• The Torres Strait is the only natural resource management region in Australia that shares an international border - with neighbouring PNG and Indonesia. The Torres Strait Treaty between PNG and Australia establishes the Torres Strait Protected Zone and other mechanisms for the shared governance of the region, including in relation to its unique marine resources.
• The region has one of the highest proportions of Indigenous people, many of whom still have strong affiliation with their land and sea. Native Title determinations have been made for most of the islands in the region, and a Regional Sea Claim process is underway.

A History of Active Land & Sea Management

Torres Strait Islanders have a unique and holistic relationship with their environment. There are strong cultural, social, economic and spiritual links between Torres Strait Island people and their sea country, which are governed by their distinct Ailan Kastom (Island Custom).

While formal recognition of this relationship has been achieved through Native Title and other legal processes, peoples’ aspirations to sustainably manage their land and sea country have been more difficult to realise.

Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal participation in land and sea management activities has increased in the Torres Strait, through the successful delivery of key initiatives under the Land & Sea Management Strategy for Torres Strait. Many communities now seek technical and financial support to deliver land and sea projects through the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU).

A key focus for the Land and Sea Management Unit for 2008-09 and beyond is to support Torres Strait Island communities to successfully address environmental priorities through the establishment of an Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program. The program will create employment opportunities for local Indigenous people and develop their capacity to deliver land and sea management initiatives in Torres Strait. The Rangers will implement current land and sea management activities and play an important role in developing and coordinating the delivery of future projects.

The Ranger Program will be implemented through a staged approach, ensuring there are established priorities and procedures in place. The key focus in this interim year is establishing a Ranger Program support team within TSRA and developing partnerships with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (providers of administration, operational and employment support for rangers) and Prescribed Bodies Corporates (key partners in setting the direction of ranger activities).