A significant collection of coral specimens collected from the Torres Strait Islands 111 years ago has been returned to Queensland following its rediscovery within the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in the United States.

More than 140 corals, which hold profound cultural and ecological importance for the Torres Strait community, were collected from Mer (Murray Island) by American scientist Alfred Goldsborough Mayor in 1913 during detailed ecological studies.

The corals were rediscovered two years ago when a post-doctoral research fellow from Queensland Museum and James Cook University who was conducting post-doctorate studies at the Smithsonian, identified the corals as originating from Mer Island.

This rediscovery marked the beginning of negotiations with the head of Indigenous Partnerships at Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Sea Teams Manager, who began working with the Traditional Owners of Mer to negotiate a way to return the collection home to Australia.

The negotiations were led by Meriam Traditional Owners, Queensland Museum, Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Smithsonian, which has resulted in the return of the corals to Queensland.

Upon their return the corals will be housed at Queensland Museum Tropics in Townsville, under an ongoing care and custodianship agreement with the Meriam Traditional Owners to ensure their preservation and health for future generations.

Mer Gedkem Le Corporation Chairperson Falen Passi said the return of the Mer Corals will allow the Meriam people to reconnect with an important part of their heritage that was taken away.

“For the Meriam peoples, Wes Wes (corals) are a part of us and our sea estate. They are significant story to our identity as to the land on which we live. The corals spawn on the ocean floor just like our sisters and mothers’ give birth on land we are all related to one another to the environment that we live. The sea and land do not separate us from the environment. We are spiritually connected to individuals, clans, tribal groups and as Meriam Nation,” Mr Passi said.

“The return of the corals is not just about physical artefacts, but about acknowledging and honouring the cultural, spiritual, and historical rights of the Meriam people wherever you live, while promoting reconciliation and cultural preservation.”

Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the milestone was reconciliation in action through truth-telling and repatriations.

“It has been an important and emotional journey for the Meriam people, led by the Mer Gedkem Le Prescribed Body Corporate in partnership with TSRA,” Mr Stephen said.

“Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation will be reunited with part of their homeland, spirit and culture that was taken more than 100 years ago from the Torres Strait to the United States.

“This recognition of the enduring connection between Torres Strait Islanders, land and sea is significant for Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and more widely, Australia as a nation.”

Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the return of the Mer Corals is an important acknowledgment of their cultural significance to Torres Strait Islander communities and to Queensland.

“The Queensland Government invests the Queensland Museum and its work in preserving and sharing the state’s social, cultural and natural heritage,” Minister Langbroek said.

“The Museum’s work in caring for and returning cultural property to communities, supports the respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their heritage and the diversity of their continuing cultures.”

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said Queensland Museum Tropics houses one of the world’s largest corals collections and is honoured to be entrusted with caring for the Mer Corals.

“Queensland Museum is dedicated to honouring the living cultures of First Nations peoples as a vital part of Queensland’s story. We are humbled by the trust placed in us as a Keeping Place for this significant collection,” Dr Thompson said.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Meriam Nation Elders to honour and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and ecological importance of the Mer Corals.”

The Mer Corals hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Meriam people and were often used in ceremonial contexts, storytelling, and traditional practices, symbolising connections to ancestral lands and the natural environment of the Torres Strait.

Mer (also known as Murray Island) is a small island located about 225km from Thursday Island in the eastern section of the Torres Strait.