There are approximately 650km of mostly pristine coastlines and beaches in the region that provide critical habitat for a variety of marine and terrestrial species, essential ecosystem services, natural resources, and immense amenity and cultural value to the region’s communities. Torres Strait coastlines and beaches are increasingly subject to frequent tidal inundation, coastal erosion and extreme weather events associated with climate change.

These thin strips where the land meets the sea are a critical interface of significant environmental and cultural value in the region (e.g., intertidal fringing reefs and sea grass beds, nesting coastal birds and marine turtles, subsistence fishing, plant and animal resources). Rocky coastlines are home to a range of birds, plants and marine organisms which are typically only found in these environments. Beaches of the central coral cays formed from ground-up coral fragments and other marine organisms are especially vulnerable to ocean acidification.

Extensive research has been conducted into understanding coastal erosion and tidal inundation impacts across the region over the past decade. Knowledge of coastal vegetation cover and species assemblages has also been improved through ongoing biodiversity surveys on inhabited and uninhabited islands.