abc– Torres Strait Islander leaders in Far North Queensland say they are “incredibly nervous” about China’s plan to build a fish processing plant on their doorstep, and are seeking urgent talks with the Australian Government.
China’s ministry of commerce has announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Papua New Guinea to build a $200-million “comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park” on Daru Island, in PNG’s western province.
The proposed fishery is a mere five kilometres to Australia’s Saibai Island, or a six hour boat-ride to Thursday Island, just off the northern-most tip of Australia.
Torres Shire Mayor Vonda Malone, who is based on Thursday Island, said the prospect of the Chinese moving into the area was “very, very concerning”.
“We have to stand up and voice our concerns about it because it will be on our doorstep. It will affect our communities, our people, our families, our resources,” Ms Malone said.
“We are dealing with a country that does not have the same values as us.”
She said she was “not convinced” the multi-million-dollar development would be a fishery at all, given there were few fish in the area.
“It’s a considerable investment there. Our community members are very worried,” Ms Malone said.
“The talk is ‘why are they investing so much’?
Ms Malone said the area around Daru, one of the few Torres Strait Islands governed by PNG rather than Australia, was not known for its fish stocks.
She said the Chinese could use the Torres Strait Treaty — where Papua New Guineans from more than a dozen villages could fish in Australian waters — to “vacuum-up” fish.
“The Torres Strait has invested a considerable amount into fishery management and that’s been in play for over 10 years now, ” Ms Malone said.
“With a superpower like China entering into our space, there are so many questions about how those resources are going to be managed between small-scale fisheries and large commercial ventures, and that’s going to have a huge impact on the ground.
“They need to have the ability to have a catch to sustain their businesses and their families, compared to having someone like the Chinese Government with large commercial vessels that can openly plunder our waters.”
It is a view shared by Far North Queensland Federal MP Warren Entsch, whose electorate encompasses the Torres Strait.
“They’re going to rape and pillage this, they’re going to vacuum-clean these reefs,” Mr Entsch said.
Calls to review Treaty
The Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Gur A Baradharaw Kod represents traditional inhabitants throughout the island communities.
Chairman Ned David said he was concerned the Chinese could have ulterior motives.
“The alarm bells are going. This is the main conversation piece for everyone,” Mr David said.
He said although the fishery was an MOU at this stage, the community “had to take it seriously.”
He also said it was time to review the Torres Strait Treaty, where Papua New Guineans are allowed to take 25 per cent of the total allowable catch of rock lobsters within Australian waters.
“We need to be renegotiating this treaty arrangement to guarantee our authority and protection,” Mr David said.
“It should be put to zero in terms of access to our border, if the Chinese move into the area.”
Torres Strait leaders seek talks with Federal Government
Mr David said he was in the process of writing to the Australian Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, seeking a meeting to discuss the issue.
Ms Malone said community leaders were also seeking a meeting with government heads.
“We are pretty much in the dark,” Ms Malone said.
“We will be asking questions of the Australian Government and want information provided to the elected leaders of the Torres Strait.”
The ABC has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
