TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS

island group in the Torres Strait, north of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, south of the island of New Guinea. They comprise three clusters: Western (high, rocky, and barren, the largest being Prince of Wales Island); Central (coral); and Eastern (volcanic, with dense vegetation). Generally rich in offshore coral growth and marine fauna, the islands may be remnants of a land bridge that once linked Asia and Australia. Although the Spanish navigator Luis Vaez de Torres sailed through them in 1606, they did not become well known until the late 18th century, when fishermen came to hunt for mother-of-pearl shell and bche-de-mer (sea cucumber). The islands were annexed by Queensland in the 1870s. Each island cluster has its own local government and sends representatives to a central council on Thursday Island. Pearl shelling, pearl culture, fishing, and tourism are the main sources of income. With the decline in demand for pearl shell, about one-half of the population has moved to mainland Australia. The inhabitants are a mixture of Polynesians, Melanesians, and Aborigines. Pop. (1981) local government area, 6,131.