Treaty between Australia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea concerning sovereignty and maritime boundaries in the area between the two countries, including the area known as Torres Strait, and related matters.

The text of the Agreement consists of a Preamble, 32 articles divided into 6 Parts, and 9 Annexes. The Parts are: Definitions (1); Sovereignty and jurisdiction (2); Sovereignty and jurisdiction - related matters (3); The Protected Zone (4); Protected Zone commercial fisheries (5); Final articles (6).
Part 2 makes provision for sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction of Australia respectively Papua New Guinea over parts of the area known as Torres Strait and establishes boundaries of the territorial seas of Papua New Guinea. Article 4 delimits also the areas in which Australia respectively Papua New Guinea shall have fisheries jurisdiction. Boundary lines are described in the Annexes. A Protected Zone in the Torres Strait is established (art. 10). The principal objective of establishing the Zone bounded by lines indicated in Annex 9 is to protect the traditional way of live and livelihood of traditional inhabitants including their traditional fishing. A further purpose is to protect the marine environment in the Zone. The Parties shall, where appropriate, negotiate subsidiary conservation and management arrangements in respect of any individual Protected Zone commercial fishery (art. 22). Articles 23, 24 and 25 provide for the sharing of total allowable catch of the Protected Zone. Other provisions of Part 5 deal with licensing arrangements, third state fishing in the Protected Zone and inspection and enforcement measures.