CRC Torres Strait Delivers Valuable Information to the Torres Strait

26 June 2006 (joint media release: TSRA and CRC Torres Strait)

The $20.2 Million Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) Torres Strait Program, will be coming to a close at the end of June, after three years of  investigative studies and analyses of the region’s marine ecosystems.

Through a multi-partnership which included the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), CRC Reef Research Centre (CRC Reef), CSIRO Marine Research, Geoscience Australia (GA), James Cook University (JCU), National Oceans Office (NOO) and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), CRC Torres Strait has produced valuable information for future sustainable management of the Torres Strait’s unique marine environment.

CRC Torres Strait Chief Executive Officer Dr David Williams, said that the results from this research have advanced our understanding of sustainable management of fisheries, mitigation of potential threats to the Torres Strait marine ecosystems such as introduction of marine pests or shipping accidents, natural events such as tides and currents and the affects these can have on the ecosystem, and investigated new aquaculture ventures that could boost the Torres Strait economy.

“Torres Strait Islanders and managers can now use this information in their decision making when discussing management of Torres Strait fisheries and the marine environment,” Dr Williams said.

Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris, said the TSRA’s role was to engage a Marine Research Liaison Officer, Mr Toshi Nakata, who was based in the region to ensure the research conducted was appropriate and relevant to the Torres Strait’s needs.

“Without input and involvement from the local community, the success of this program including the research and findings, would not have been possible,” Mr Kris said.

“I would like to thank all the partners who supported this valuable Program and most importantly, the community members who welcomed researchers onto their islands, and shared their culture, ancestral knowledge and experiences.

“Findings from the studies conducted over the last three years will provide our people with knowledge and options on how to sustainably manage our marine resources and environment for the benefit of the current population as well as future generations,” Mr Kris said.

CRC Torres Strait Marine Research Liaison Officer Mr Toshi Nakata, said that to coincide with the end of the Program, a CRC Torres Strait 2003-2006 Booklet has been produced, which documents the major highlights of the various projects undertaken during the life of CRC Torres Strait.

“Most communities in the Torres Strait were visited at one time or another by researchers during this Program, with 1000 days spent conducting studies and 32 days presenting information sessions.

“A total of15 Torres Strait Islanders have been employed as liaison officers, research assistants or aquaculture workers during the project, which is a great example of the contribution this Program has had towards building community capacity.

“Among the many important projects conducted, CRC Torres Strait has revealed by way of monitoring that:

• the rock lobster fishery has shown a continued trend of increasing stocks since a record low in 2001 which is good news for the fishery, but also shows that recruitment of young lobster to the fishery in different years and in different areas is highly variable and the fishery must be managed conservatively based on long-term trends;
• the Torres Strait sea cucumber fishery shows that recovery of depleted sea cucumber species is slow despite new management strategies; and
• new aquaculture industries are possible for the region with research indicating that a bath sponge aquaculture venture at Masig Island could be a viable proposition for Torres Strait,” said Mr Nakata.

Mr Kris said on behalf of the researchers of CRC Torres Strait, I would like to thank all Torres Strait Islanders for their help, friendship and hospitality throughout the three years of research - the success of this Program is very much due to the support for the research by community members.

 “Torres Strait Islanders have invested much into this research and it is hoped that the results will be now be utilized to gain maximum benefit,” Mr Kris said.

To obtain a copy of the CRC Torres Strait 2003-2006 Booklet and for more information about CRC Torres Strait and the research projects conducted in the region, contact Mr Toshi Nakata at the TSRA on (07) 4069 0700, free call 1800 079 093 or alternatively visit www.crctorres.com .