Dugong and Turtle Fisheries
Hunting for turtle and dugong is important in Torres Strait Islander culture as well as being a major source of protein in Islanders' diet. Dugong and turtle may only be taken in the course of traditional fishing and used for traditional purposes.
Turtles are taken in all areas of the Torres Strait while dugong are caught mainly in the western region.
Condition of the fisheries
Dugong
The population of dugongs in Torres Strait is estimated from aerial surveys. Aerial surveys have been conducted in 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. The most recent population estimate is 14,747 ± 2292. The estimated annual catch for 2001 by communities in the Australian sector of the TSPZ is 619 ± 134 dugongs.
Turtle
There are no population estimates for turtle stocks in the Torres Strait however the monitoring of key turtle nesting sites in Queensland has flagged concerns with respect to the green turtle stocks. As a result, there is a growing awareness of the need to manage the traditional take of green turtles to ensure the long term viability of the population. The estimated annual catch of green turtles in 2001 by communities in the Australian area of jurisdiction of the TSPZ was 1,619 ± 574 turtles.
Other turtle species are not generally taken for food however the eggs of the hawksbill, flatback and green turtles are regularly harvested by Traditional Inhabitants. The level of annual harvest of eggs is unknown.
