Traditional resource knowledge, western education and self-management autonomy of Torres Strait

Torres Strait Islanders live with their land and marine environment. Their society is sedentary and stable. In exploiting their environments they apply traditional technology, although changes have occurred in their equipment where steel replaces hardwood; aluminium dinghy replaces canoe; motor replaces sail and oar; diving goggle replaces the naked eye. Their traditional knowledge has evolved over the generations. It is quite sophisticated and aids them in weather prediction days, weeks and months ahead of time, the right time to engage in all their subsistence activities, and in their successful management of their resources. Meticulous study of the Islander cultural and ecological system needs to be conducted cooperatively with conservation of the fragile environment on which the survival of a unique people depends.