NEWS 03
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2023
Traditional Owners fear illegal fishing fleet in our waters Suspicious fishing activities have raised Traditional Owner concerns about illegal fishermen operating in Torres Strait waters near Iama. A foreign vessel was seen by a local fisherman at Warrior Reef, approximately 62 nautical miles from the tip of Cape York, and within 30 nautical miles from mainland Papua New Guinea. Gur A Baradharaw Kod Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation (GBK) said it wasn’t the first foreign boat seen lurking in Torres Strait waters – they said they had multiple reports of
unidentifiable vessels in the region. A similar sighting was reported to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in December 2022, with little assurance of further investigation. GBK Chair Ned David called for urgent action from governing authorities. “These illegal vessels were able to enter Australian waters undetected,” he said. “They are a threat to biosecurity and border security. “If not reprimanded, there is nothing stopping the illegal fishermen from returning to our
IAMA COMMUNITY Pic supplied.
waters and exploiting natural resources.” He said illegal fishing was a major threat to the livelihood of Torres Strait Islanders who depended on commercial fishing as their primary income source.
Fisheries in the region are managed on behalf of the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries
and Forestry and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). “Multiple sightings should warrant an investigation by authorities, and justifies an increase in maritime surveillance,” Mr David said. “GBK has a responsibility to the people of this region to provide an avenue to respond to matters affecting the Torres Strait. “As the voice representing the collective interests of the region’s Traditional Owners, GBK will raise this issue until action is taken.”
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Climate change talks make excellent progress A roundtable of community, regional and government representatives held on Waiben earlier this month has been dubbed an important step towards establishing the Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence as a follow-on from last year’s Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change. Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said cooperative climate action for First Nations Australians was the goal. “These discussions are as important as ever with sea levels rising at about three times the rate of the global average in the Torres Strait region,” Assistant Minister McAllister said. “Torres Strait communities are some of the most at risk, but this support will promote meaningful consultation and action to secure their safety now, and in the future.
STANDING UNITED: Roundtable representatives on Waiben (Thursday Island). Pic supplied. “The government is committed to collective climate action, and we will achieve this by working hand-in-hand with Traditional Owners and other First Nations people including our Pacific neighbours.” Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to progress
a federally funded Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence. “The Torres Strait is at the front door to climate impacts in this nation,” Mr Stephen said. “Climate change is among the biggest threats we face not only in our lifetime, but for generations to come. “The Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence will connect traditional knowledge,
lived experience and Western science to design and identity climate action in communities across the Torres Strait. “It represents a new, nationleading model for working with Torres Strait Islanders and other First Nations people across Australia on the critical matters affecting our lives and communities,” he said. Mr Stephen said recruitment for an executive to oversee the establishment and operations was underway. “This Centre of Excellence will showcase and invite innovation and collaboration between industry, researchers, government and a local workforce based across the Torres Strait region, including outer islands,” he said. “By working with Traditional Owners, remote communities and also our Pacific neighbours we can boost climate resilience and roll-out adaptation strategies that reflect our needs, culture and way of life.”
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