Zenadth Kes and Papua New Guinea strengthen their cross-border ties through the first official ranger knowledge exchange held under the Torres Strait Treaty. Photo: Tahlae Nona.
Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) rangers have joined forces with their Papua New Guinea counterparts in a landmark knowledge exchange aimed at strengthening cross-border conservation.
The three-day exchange, hosted by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) late last month on Waiben (Thursday Island), brought together Torres Strait rangers and South Fly Rangers to share knowledge, cultural practices and experiences in caring for land and sea.
TSRA chairperson George Nona said the gathering recognised the longstanding connections between Zenadth Kes and Papua New Guinea.
“The true strength of the Torres Strait Treaty is found in our people and the enduring relationships connecting families, communities and cultures across Zenadth Kes and Papua New Guinea for generations,” he said.
“Like a woven mat, this historic ranger gathering brought together cultures, knowledge and aspirations in caring for land and sea.”
The exchange included yarning circles, cultural activities and field visits, with rangers discussing shared challenges and priorities including climate change, food and water security, language preservation, youth engagement, and dugong and turtle management.
Participants also explored ways to combine traditional ecological knowledge with western science to support community-led conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable resource management.
TSRA Simakal Senior Ranger on Dauan, Laurie Elisala, said the exchange highlighted the importance of cultural authority in environmental management.
“We share the honour and responsibility to learn from our ancestors and pass on this traditional knowledge to care for Country,” he said.
South Fly Ranger Elda Dagi, from Kadawa Village, said conservation was a shared responsibility extending beyond communities covered by the treaty.
“This program reminds us that we all have a role to play in conservation, not only in the treaty communities but also in inland villages on the mainland,” Ms Dagi said.
The South Fly Rangers are funded under the PNG-Australia Partnership and have since returned to Western Province.
They will work with local communities to apply lessons from the exchange, strengthen community-led monitoring and support practical climate and conservation activities across the South Fly region.
