Maiem, Sew Ngapa!
Welcome to Australia’s northernmost region where red dirt meets turquoise waters.
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is the lead agency for Indigenous Affairs in Zenadth Kes, supporting 17 island communities plus Bamaga and Seisia on the mainland.
Our world-class Environmental Management Program connects communities with best practice approaches blending ancient wisdom with western science.
We empower First Nations communities to lead strong, sustainable environmental management and proudly work at the heart of a region with enduring connection to land, sea and culture.
Located north of Cairns, the Torres Strait stretches 150 kilometres northwards from Cape York Peninsula to Papua New Guinea and up to 300 kilometres east to west. This 48,000 km² area includes more than 270 islands and reefs.
Rich in culture, the region is the home of two traditional languages and six dialects.
Fast facts:
The Torres Strait is ecologically unique, yet vulnerable to invasive species such as feral pigs, cats, black rats and cane toads.
Guided by Ailan Kastom (Island Custom), TSRA’s Land Team supports local land management aspirations using an approach that honours cultural practices and knowledge alongside science.
The team also provides training, coordination and technical guidance to TSRA Rangers and Traditional Owners who carry out day-to-day land management.
Activities include:
The Torres Strait is the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef, home to marine life including turtle, dugong and vast seagrass meadows sustainably managed by communities for thousands of years.
TSRA’s Sea Team supports community aspirations and cultural protocols across projects, surveys and monitoring. The team includes national award-winning Torres Strait Islander marine scientist Madeina David of Iama (Yam Island).
Activities include:
TSRA Rangers began in 2009 with one group on Mabuiag and has grown to 13 ranger groups across 14 communities.
One of Australia’s largest and most diverse ranger programs, it supports 60 Ranger roles connecting traditional knowledge and western science.
Women make up a third of our ranger workforce.
TSRA Rangers undertake training and on-ground activities including:
Torres Strait Regional Authority contributing to natural resource management outcomes
Learn about how the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is connecting ancient wisdom and western science. In the nation’s remote far north, we’re leading the way to care for land, sea and culture.
Torres Strait Regional Authority’s contributions to our national NRM snapshots
