Marine & Fisheries

The Torres Strait’s commercial fisheries are the only resources available for the people in this region from which to build a real economy, yet the rights to most of these resources have been given away to people living in other areas of Australia and the traditional inhabitants are left with a welfare economy and all the disadvantages that this entails for Torres Strait society.
 
The TSRA would like a viable economy for the Torres Strait, one that people can participate in and benefit from.  The sea is the only significant natural resource available to Torres Strait Islanders, so it makes sense that it forms the foundation of Torres Strait’s real economy.

Under Australian legislation the Torres Strait has a priority of access to fisheries and the TSRA, on behalf of traditional inhabitants is in the process of asserting the right to obtain this fair share of the catch.  The underlying problem is that too many licenses have been issued to those living outside the region.  The TSRA is working in partnership with government and industry to rectify these issues and ensure that all our fisheries are managed sustainably. 
 
Currently, most local fisheries are being over-fished and are in danger of depletion.  The commercial fisheries of prawn, crayfish and beche-de-mer all require significant effort reduction along with the take of dugong that must be managed by traditional inhabitants at a community level.

The rise of illegal foreign fishing vessels entering the Torres Strait to pilfer threatens the sustainability of precious resources and brings along further risks through introduced pests and diseases, and the disposition of confiscated foreign vessels at sea.

An Integrated Approach

The TSRA, Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (QDPI&F) have worked together closely in recent years to develop a fisheries management consultative structure that provides for traditional inhabitant involvement.  TSRA, AFMA and QDPI&F jointly fund a Fisheries Coordinator position within the TSRA to coordinate the participation of traditional inhabitant fishers (the Community Fisher Group).  The TSRA in turn funds an elected representative from each Torres Strait community to travel to and be part of fisheries management discussions.

TSRA Approach

The TSRA coordinates the participation of the Community Fisher Group in the fisheries management consultative process and supports capacity building for the Community Fisher Group and community fishers. 
 
While it does not provide ongoing grants to any fisheries related organisations, the TSRA does support business loans to individuals involved in the fishing industry.
 
To complement and strengthen our involvement in support initiatives, the Chair of the TSRA has been made a member of the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) and shares responsibility with the Australian and Queensland Government Ministers for Fisheries in making fisheries’ legislation for the Torres Strait. 
 
For the latest information on PZJA outcomes visit their website at www.pzja.gov.au or for more detailed information on this and other regional issues concerning the TSRA Board visit the TSRA Development Plan for 2005 – 2009.