Melanesian Meriam people are an Indigenous Australian group of Torres Strait Islander people who are united by a common language, strong ties of kinship and live as skilled hunter–fisher–gatherers in family groups or clans on a number of inner eastern Torres Strait Islands including Mer or Murray Island, Ugar or Stephen Island and Erub or Darnley Island. The Meriam people are perhaps best known for their involvement in the High Court of Australia's Mabo decision which fundamentally changed land law in Australia - recognising native title. Although gardening takes priority, each Meriam family has sea rights, and on the reefs in front of their houses, which are mainly built above the beach, they maintain stone fish-weirs and crayfish holes. Demographics Melanesian Meriam people primarily reside in a small island of volcanic origin situated at the eastern end of Torres Strait, known as Mer (Murray) Island. The Murray group also comprises two other islands, Erub (Darnely) and Ugar (Stephens) Islands in which traditional laws of boundary and ownership organise them. The three islands are considered as the Meriam cluster. While these Islands predominantly contain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who associate as Meriam people, each Island differs in their population and demographics. Mer homes eight tribes of the Meriam people, which have been around for thousands of years these include: Komet Zagareb Meauram Magaram Geuram Peibre Meriam-samsep Piadram Dauer Meriam Table 1. Data collected from ABS (2016) Mer and Erub Island both have a large population hence ABS data regarding demographics is available on the two islands, Ugar Island only comprises a small population of 85 people. Hence not much ABS data is available. All that is known as of the 2016 ABS census is that there are 60.7% males and 39.3% females with the median age of 19 comprising the Ugar Island. Culture Meriam people have a distinct culture from other Torres Strait Islander groups. Indigenous cultural groups rituals and practices are characterised by their beliefs in the Dreamtime and mythologies. Meriam people differ from other Indigenous groups as many of their rituals are surrounded by their engagement in agriculture and farming. Hence Meriam people place great focus on enhancing individual garden productivity. Therefore, common with all Indigenous groups, the younger generation learn from their elders, hence Meriam fathers pass down their techniques of gardening cultivation to their sons which would be carried on throughout future generations. During certain ceremonies