Traditional Inhabitant Boat (TIB) fishers from Zenadth Kes and the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) are urged to contact their local TSRA Board member to apply for positions on the region’s Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) Advisory Committees.
Taking on community feedback, the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has changed the selection process and extended applications to 9 June 2025.
These changes provide extra time to apply, along with more transparency and better access for fishers across the region to get involved.
TSRA Chairperson George Nona said the committees enabled local voices to guide the future of the region’s fisheries.
“The PZJA Advisory Committees are critical for providing region-wide industry expertise on key Torres Strait fisheries that are majority owned by our people,” Mr Nona said.
“Only our fishers have extensive knowledge and experience of the Protected Zone traditional fisheries and communities in our region.
“I urge local fishers to apply, their knowledge is vital to important discussions held at the PZJA Advisory Committees.
“Together we can maintain sustainable fishing industries in our waters and increase employment and economic opportunities for yumi region now and into the future,” he said.
A total of 40 positions are available across eight PZJA Advisory Committees:
- Tropical Rock Lobster Working Group
- Tropical Rock Lobster Resource Assessment Group
- Finfish Working Group
- Finfish Resource Assessment Group
- Hand Collectables Working Group
- Hand Collectables Resource Assessment Group
- Torres Strait Prawn Management Advisory Committee
- Torres Strait Scientific Advisory Committee
Each committee will include TIB members from the 20 communities represented by the TSRA. TIB fishers from the NPA communities of Injinoo, New Mapoon and Umagico should contact the TSRA Board member for Bamaga or Seisia to be considered for any Kaiwalagal cluster positions.
All previous applications and Expressions of Interest will be automatically transferred to the new selection process, these applicants do not need to reapply.
Interested fishers must be able to commit their time and knowledge to be a committee member. Responsibilities include participating in discussions, sharing insights, reporting back on key issues and seeking community views through local meetings and groups.
New changes to the selection process:
Total of 40 positions to be filled – 8 positions per cluster.
- TSRA will run the selection process with support from TSRA Board members.
- To be considered for an Advisory Committee position, candidates must notify their local TSRA Board member before 9 June 2025.
- TSRA Board members will record applicants from their community, discuss and reach agreement with Board members within their cluster community on the most suitable nominees for each available position for the cluster.
- Applicants will be assessed against the list of responsibilities available online at www.tsra.gov.au/fisheries
- TSRA Board members will advise their communities of the names of all applicants before discussing and reaching agreement on which applicants should be put forward nominated for appointment.
Need more information? Go to www.tsra.gov.au/fisheries or email fisheries@tsra.gov.au