MTSRF
Project 1.3.3
Economic analysis of alternative uses, tradeoff
Project Leader: Dr Alan Butler, CSIRO
The project outlined builds on outputs and methodology of sponge aquaculture research previously conducted in the Torres Straits. Given awareness that the scale of the potential international market for commercial sponges may permit a venture larger than cottage industry size, it is now important to examine sustainability of the likely commercial development of a new industry in the Torres Strait. This will be achieved by laying ground work for an understanding the dynamics of shallow water sponge characterised communities and exploring risks and threats to sponge seed stock populations. Given sponges play an important ecological role in these environments, possibly acting as nursery or recruitment habitat for other species of economic or ecological importance (as reported in other tropical habitats); and as sponges themselves are useful indicator or sentinel species for environmental stress, then relevant information will be delivered that will inform assessment of general habitat risk (from pollution, disease, invasions or sedimentation). Exploring the wider economic potential of bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait, based on work undertaken with CRC Torres Strait and Torres Strait Regional Authority will be contingent upon other funds and future work in collaboration with the Yorke Island Council and the Authority.
Ecological role and potential economic value of sponges to the Torres Strait
Project Leader: Dr Stephen Whalan, AIMS
The project outlined builds on outputs and methodology of sponge aquaculture research previously conducted in the Torres Straits. Given awareness that the scale of the potential international market for commercial sponges may permit a venture larger than cottage industry size, it is now important to examine sustainability of the likely commercial development of a new industry in the Torres Strait. This will be achieved by laying ground work for an understanding the dynamics of shallow water sponge characterised communities and exploring risks and threats to sponge seed stock populations. Given sponges play an important ecological role in these environments, possibly acting as nursery or recruitment habitat for other species of economic or ecological importance (as reported in other tropical habitats); and as sponges themselves are useful indicator or sentinel species for environmental stress, then relevant information will be delivered that will inform assessment of general habitat risk (from pollution, disease, invasions or sedimentation). Exploring the wider economic potential of bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait, based on work undertaken with CRC Torres Strait and Torres Strait Regional Authority will be contingent upon other funds and future work in collaboration with the Yorke Island Council and the Authority.
Livelihood benefits of co-management of hand collectable fisheries in the Torres Strait
Project Leader: James Butler, CSIRO
The project outlined builds on outputs and methodology of sponge aquaculture research previously conducted in the Torres Straits. Given awareness that the scale of the potential international market for commercial sponges may permit a venture larger than cottage industry size, it is now important to examine sustainability of the likely commercial development of a new industry in the Torres Strait. This will be achieved by laying ground work for an understanding the dynamics of shallow water sponge characterised communities and exploring risks and threats to sponge seed stock populations. Given sponges play an important ecological role in these environments, possibly acting as nursery or recruitment habitat for other species of economic or ecological importance (as reported in other tropical habitats); and as sponges themselves are useful indicator or sentinel species for environmental stress, then relevant information will be delivered that will inform assessment of general habitat risk (from pollution, disease, invasions or sedimentation). Exploring the wider economic potential of bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait, based on work undertaken with CRC Torres Strait and Torres Strait Regional Authority will be contingent upon other funds and future work in collaboration with the Yorke Island Council and the Authority.
Bilateral framework to support the sustainable management of marine turtles and dugongs in the Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Project Leader: David Roe, STF & Sheriden Morris, RRRC
Development of an effective Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for the northern Torres Strait and Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) requires an extensive participatory consultation process. The MTSRF funded a workshop held at the New Century Hotel, Daru on 10 June 2010 which brought together representatives from the 13 Treaty villages in Western Province, as well as PNG representatives from the PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (PNG DEC), the PNG Fisheries Department, the PNG Treaty Chairman, the PNG Border Liaison Officer, and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Sea Turtle Foundation and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre. The findings from this development workshop are being used to help ensure that communities learn about sea turtle and dugong conservation, traditional values, sustainable harvest practices, and are engaged in conservation activities.
Publications
Outcomes of Development Workshop held 10 June 2010, Daru.
Outcomes of Torres Strait Spatial Closures Workshop held 14-16 October 2008, Thursday Island. Report compiled by Professor Helene Marsh, School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, James Cook University.
Overview of PhD project which aims to test an adaptive co-management framework approach for trochus and beche-de-mer fisheries in two Torres Strait Island communities.
Report by Sean Pascoe, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research. This report outlines some of the key resource economic issues that could be developed into research projects or programmes. The focus of this report is on marine resource related issues, and fisheries resources in particular, as these represent the most important industry in the Torres Strait region. Only brief consideration is given to other natural resource issues, namely land and water.