What traditional foods have Torres Strait Islander peoples obtained from the sea?

Torres Strait Islander peoples have traditionally relied on the sea as a vital source of sustenance, utilizing their deep knowledge of the environment to harvest various marine resources.1

Key traditional foods and marine life obtained from the sea include:

• Fish: The Central Islands, often referred to as the fishing islands, are particularly noted for their abundance of fish life, which serves as a primary food source for the communities there.1
• Dugong: These manatee-like marine mammals are a traditional food source. Islanders use their knowledge of the stars and seasonal changes to determine the appropriate times to hunt for them.1
• Turtles: Similar to the dugong, turtles are hunted for food based on seasonal cycles and traditional ecological knowledge.1

The economy of Torres Strait Islander peoples has historically been founded on these traditional practices of fishing, complemented by the cultivation of private gardens. While other marine products like pearl shells and bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber) were historically significant for trade and industry, they are distinct from the primary food sources harvested for sustenance.12