Funding to support reef protection work

Nearly $1 million in funding has been allocated to reduce crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and strengthen coral resilience across Torres Strait Sea Country, with a new project spanning 1,750 hectares.

Queensland’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program has directed the funding to NRM Regions Queensland, working in partnership with the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). The project will focus on reducing crown-of-thorns starfish densities, bolstering coral resilience and protecting threatened species habitat across the region.

Key Points

Funding targets crown-of-thorns outbreaks

Badulaig, Goemulaig, Saibailaig, Mua and Erub man and TSRA chairperson, George Nona, said the support is crucial to safeguarding reefs in the Torres Strait.

“This investment is not only welcome, it is essential for the survival of coral reefs in the northernmost part of the Great Barrier Reef in the Torres Strait,” Mr Nona said.

According to TSRA, the funding will reinforce on-Country management led by Traditional Owners and rangers, with efforts guided by both traditional knowledge and Western science in collaboration with government partners. The joint approach aims to curb outbreaks currently threatening the reefs and to protect culturally and ecologically significant habitats.

Pilot program results and ongoing threats

The announcement builds on Operation Urmemeg, TSRA’s $2 million pilot program that removed more than 10,000 crown-of-thorns starfish in the eastern Torres Strait. The First Nations-led initiative combined traditional knowledge with Western science, partnering with Traditional Owners to support school and community awareness and create training and employment, including for 12 local divers.

In detailed operational outcomes, Operation Urmemeg culled 10,100 crown-of-thorns starfish, recorded 1,477 hours in the water and completed 305 reef health impact surveys. Crews also carried out 119 hours of surveillance, spent 109 days on water and visited 56 reefs. Local capacity was strengthened through the training of 12 divers, consultation with 10 communities and involvement of six cultural advisors.

TSRA-supported surveys have confirmed active crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks above sustainable levels, including within Erub and Mer Sea Country. Without management, TSRA reports those outbreaks could cause severe coral loss and threaten reef habitats that support livelihoods, food security and cultural identity across Torres Strait communities.

“This funding enables Torres Strait Traditional Owners, communities and rangers to continue leading critical on-Country work supported by Western science and government partnerships to control the crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks currently threatening our waters,” Mr Nona said.

Community-led management

Delivered by TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit, the environmental management program supports communities to protect biodiversity while recognizing the connection between people, islands and sea. Local jobs, including ranger roles, are supported through work that brings together traditional knowledge and Western science to care for land, sea and culture.

TSRA’s Sea Team supports community aspirations and cultural protocols across projects, surveys and monitoring. Activities undertaken through these programs include:

• Crown-of-thorns starfish management
• Marine turtle monitoring
• Dugong monitoring
• Marine debris clean-ups
• Migratory bird surveys
• Ranger-led seagrass monitoring

Stretching from Bamaga and Seisia in the Northern Peninsula Area to the outer islands bordering Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait region covers 48,000 square kilometres. More than 270 islands and reefs sit within the region, which forms the northernmost part of the Great Barrier Reef.