Environmental Management

The TSRA

Environmental Management

To protect the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the Torres Strait region, and the strong and enduring connection of Torres Strait Islander people to their islands and sea.

    About the Land and Sea Management Unit

    The TSRA Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) was established in 2006 to coordinate the Environmental Management Program.

    This program supports job opportunities for local people to combine traditional knowledge and Western science to care for land, sea and culture.

    Our Rangers

    TSRA Rangers 2023

    The TSRA Rangers started in 2009 with one Ranger group on Mabuiag and has grown to 13 Ranger groups across 14 Torres Strait communities (13 islands).

    TSRA Rangers undertake regular training and carry out various on-ground activities, including pest and weed control, marine debris management, surveillance and monitoring, dugong and turtle management, seagrass monitoring, cultural heritage site protection and traditional ecological knowledge recording and management.

    Women make up about a third of TSRA’s Ranger workforce with a record number of 19 female Rangers, up from 8 previously.

    Learn more about TSRA Rangers.

    Our Projects

    Our work includes coordinating projects and initiatives across the Torres Strait to help communities access resources and information to sustainably manage and benefit from land, sea and cultural resources into the future.

    Learn more about Environmental Management projects.

    Guiding Framework

    The Land and Sea Management Strategy for Torres Strait 2016-2036 aims to achieve a vision of Empowering Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples to sustainably manage and benefit from their land, sea and cultural resources into the future, in accordance with Ailan Kastom, Aboriginal Lore/Law and Native Title rights and interests.

    To help achieve this vision, land and sea management in the Torres Strait must:

    Be culturally appropriate

    • Reinforcing native title rights and interests, respecting Ailan Kastom and Aboriginal Lore/Law, incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and aligning with Traditional Owner interests.

    Empower Traditional Owners

    • Supporting self-determination at the local and regional scale.

    Deliver enduring outcomes

    • Providing environmentally, economically and socially sustainable solutions.

    Adopt integrated decision-making

    • Using evidence-based approaches that take a long-term holistic perspective and consider all relevant factors.

    Demonstrate strong adaptive management

    • Applying flexible approaches that incorporate learning from experience.

    Focus on protecting and managing key values

    • Keeping the unique features of Torres Strait secure for the benefit of future generations.

    Resources

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