CRC TORRES STRAIT

CRC Torres Strait Ltd was a not-for-profit company established to implement the Torres Strait research program which was a supplementary program of the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (incorporated as CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd).

CRC Torres Strait Ltd was managed as a separate entity. All core participants in CRC Torres Strait (including CRC Reef Research Centre) were members of the Board of the company, which had an independent chair, Sir Sydney Schubert.

The administrative centre and registered office of CRC Torres Strait was co-located with CRC Reef Research Centre, based in Townsville. Existing CRC Reef Research Centre accounting, auditing and project management systems were adopted for CRC Torres Strait, though administration of projects and finances were managed separately from CRC Reef Research Centre systems. CRC Reef Research Centre staff provided administrative support for the company.

The core participants in CRC Torres Strait were Australia Fisheries Management Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO Marine, CRC Reef, GeoScience Australia, James Cook University, National Oceans Office (NOO), Queensland Dept of Primary Industries and the TSRA. Supporting participants included Great Barrier Reef marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation (GBRRF) and Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA).

In 2003, CRC Reef received support from the Commonwealth ($3 million over three years) to establish a new research, education and extension program in Torres Strait. The program brought together the main resource management agencies, research institutions and stakeholders in Torres Strait as well as the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), representing the Torres Strait community.

The participants brought substantial resources (more than $13 million over three years) to the Program as well as scientific and management expertise and combined their efforts into a single, integrated, multi-disciplinary research, education and communication program directed towards the identified needs of stakeholders and end-users.

Their expertise derived from considerable experience in Torres Strait and the adjacent Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The program offered a unique opportunity that brought efficiencies and synergies to the research effort to improve the delivery of information needed for sustainable development of Torres Strait, peoples and to add considerably to the value of research and extension efforts. The result was an integrated, multi-disciplinary applied program of research far beyond that which could be done previously or by any of the participants who acted independently.

Research was directed in three key areas: Harvested Marine Resources, Biophysical Processes, and Marine Systems Management Evaluations and Risks. These areas responded to stakeholder and end-user priorities. Education and training offered postgraduate scholarships as well as secondary or undergraduate and community level training for Torres Strait peoples. Training for researchers, stakeholders and communitie focused on improving the understanding and uptake of research results. Research was conducted using culturally sensitive research protocols and procedures.

Members

CRC Torres Strait coordinates projects which deliver science, education and training to fishing industries, managers and Torres Strait communities. CRC Torres Strait is committed to excellence in research. The Centre is a collaborative venture with:

CRC Torres Strait is supported by Commonwealth, state and industry groups including: