With Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson, John Toshie Kris.

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal, on whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders throughout our region. 

Boating Tragedy Remembered 

It has been a year since the Torres Strait lost five family members and friends at sea, when their boat disappeared in rough waters between Badu and Saibai Islands. 

On behalf of the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Board, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the families on Badu, Saibai, and Yam who lost loved ones in this tragedy as we remember and commemorate their lives on this first anniversary of this terrible loss.  

Coastal Erosion Update 

Our communities, particularly those on the Central Islands of Masig, Warraber, Poruma, Iama and the top Western Islands of Boigu and Sabai, continue to experience the threats of tidal surges and shoreline erosion and I wish to advise you that this issue, remains a priority of the TSRA. 

I would like to inform you that a Coastal Erosion Committee for the Torres Strait has been established. This Committee is Chaired by myself, and includes representation from affected Island Councils as well as relevant Government agencies, scientists and researchers. 

The Committee met recently and was updated on current studies that are underway in our region by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the James Cook University (JCU). 

The EPA advised that it has been conducting a Rapid Assessment, by working with the six communities of Boigu, Masig, Saibai, Poruma, Warraber and Iama.  

The Committee was informed that this EPA study is due to be completed at the end of this year, and its results will help our communities to prioritise mitigation works at threatened sites.  

JCU Researchers have also visited a number of our communities to begin research on coastal erosion. They have commenced an eighteen month study on the long-term management of erosion.  

This research aims to understand the various processes of erosion, from ocean currents, sand movements and wind and wave action. JCU are working with our Central Island communities of Warraber, Poruma and Masig to help collect data for this important project, which is due for completion at the end of 2007. 

The results from both these studies will help to provide scientific information and some solutions on how we can effectively address coastal erosion. It will also assist in supporting funding applications for appropriate works. 

I would like to thank all the communities involved in these studies - your input and valuable support is appreciated. The TSRA will continue to lobby all levels of government to ensure that this natural process is addressed over the long-term.  

Congratulations TSRA Fisheries Policy Officer  

I would like to congratulate the TSRA’s Fisheries Policy Officer, Mr Marcus Finn, who has obtained a Doctorate in Aquatic Ecology. 

Mr Finn has spent the last five years researching freshwater ecology, in particular the removal of water from such systems during the dry season and its effect on water quality, algae and aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs).  

Marcus joined the TSRA in August, and in that time, has been working with the TSRA’s Fisheries Coordinator, Mr Toshio Nakata, to facilitate our people’s participation with the Australian and Queensland Governments in the management of our region’s fisheries.  

On behalf of the TSRA Board, I wish to commend Marcus on his hard work which has resulted in this outstanding achievement. 

Any feedback for my column can be sent to: 

Mr. John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson
PO Box 261
Thursday Island QLD 4875 

Alternatively, feedback can be sent to me through the TSRA website via the media contact in the ‘contact us’ segment of the site.  Until my next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.

John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson