Traditional fishing

Traditionally, Torres Strait Islanders have always taken a wide range of marine species for subsistence and cultural uses, and their consumption of seafood remains one of the highest in the world.

Among the species they take are tropical rock lobster, dugong, turtle, fish, shells, crabs and octopus.

Their methods include handlining, diving, spearing, reef-gleaning, cast-netting, gill-netting, trolling from dinghies, jigging and seining.

Restrictions on traditional fishing harvest currently exist for tropical rock lobster and sea cucumbers. There is also a ban on the sale of clam shell meat.

Page last updated 15 December, 2006