SYDNEY, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A major two-day exercise to help prepare for an oil spill and develop environmental protection measures in the Torres Strait concluded in Cairns of Queensland state on Thursday, as part of the runup to a broader pollution scenario to be staged later this year, according to authorities.
About 120 participants from the public and private sector, including Torres Strait island communities, took part in discussions and activities ranging from prevention and preparedness to response actions and transboundary movement, a statement from Queensland's Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mick de Brenni said.
The results of the drill will be further tested in the real-time oil-spill scenario to be carried out later in the year, to see how well prepared the state can respond quickly to a pollution incident near remote island communities in environmentally sensitive areas.
"The Torres Strait includes more than 270 islands, with 17 having permanent settlements and a total population of about 7,000 people," said De Brenni.
"Torres Strait is ecologically significant with extensive sea grass and breeding populations of dugongs and turtles as well as commercial prawn and lobster fisheries.
"It is also integral to international shipping, providing a vital transport route that supports trade between Australia and Asia."
