1. Fishing
2. Marine animals
3. Social life and customs
4. Torres Strait Islanders (Qld TSI SC54, SC55)
5. Torres Strait Islands (Qld TSI SC54, SC55-05)

‘In the Torres Strait, fishing is a way of life’. This simple book with its photographic illustrations shows the importance both culturally, and economically of fishing in the Torres Strait.

The Torres Strait Island are a group of small islands situated between Australia and Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islander people have lived there for thousands of years.

The Torres Strait Islanders are a sea faring people and have always loved fishing. In times past the Islanders would go out in small boats, using the stars and skies to navigate, travelling long distances to look for dugong and turtles. Today however these are only eaten on special occasions. The Islanders are also excellent divers hunting for fish and crustaceans such as crabs and crayfish. Fishing is done in a variety of ways, from boats, off the beach, with spears and with nets. These skills are important to the Torres Strait and today the Islands export crayfish and other types of seafood overseas. Fishing truly is a way of life in the Torres Strait.

At the back there are notes on the Torres Straits prepared by Dr Christine Nicholls. The photographs used were sourced from several institutions including AIATSIS and Lonely Planet Publications.

Series: Reconciliation

1. Australian Government. Australian Fisheries Management Authority – Protected Zone Joint Authority. ‘Traditional fishing https://www.pzja.gov.au/the-fisheries/traditional-fishing
2. Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies ‘Fishing’ https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/fishing
3. ABC ‘Behind the News’ September 1, 2015 ‘Torres Strait’ https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/torres-strait/10525912