Michael Thomas Passi is a Torres Strait Islander leader, Mer Island Traditional Owner, visual artist, published author, and commercial fisherman whose work is grounded in deep ancestral knowledge of Meriam culture, language, and Sea Country. With over 25 years of experience in the Australian Public Service, he brings a unique perspective that bridges cultural authority, environmental stewardship, and public sector expertise. Michael is also a Director of Beizam Cultural Production Ltd, a not-for-profit social enterprise committed to preserving and sharing the cultural heritage, history, and knowledge of the Meriam people of Mer (Murray Island).

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For more than 20 years, Michael has documented Torres Strait Sea Country through photography while working as a commercial fisherman on Mer Island. His practice spans underwater reef environments, marine species, tidal landscapes, and traditional fishing activities, creating a powerful visual record of both ecological systems and cultural practices. His work has been published by CSIRO and credited by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, contributing to research, fisheries management reporting, and broader recognition of Traditional Owner knowledge in marine environments.

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Michael’s practice sits at the intersection of visual arts, marine conservation, and First Nations cultural documentation. His work has been exhibited nationally, including the Gotat Guthath / Tides exhibition at the Australian National University, where he contributed as a community-based researcher, photographer, and speaker. Through his extensive photographic archive—one of the most comprehensive visual records of Meriam Sea Country created by a Traditional Owner—Michael continues to document environmental change and cultural continuity, offering a vital perspective that complements and expands mainstream scientific