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Noxious fish threatens Australia, scientists warn

Xinhua, June 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

A fish that can move across land and choke birds is traveling to Australia from Papua New Guinea (PNG), scientists warn.

James Cook University scientist Dr. Nathan Waltham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday two islands in the Torres Strait have been overrun by the noxious climbing perch.

"We've only found them on Boigu and Saibai islands, so these are the islands that are closest to Papua New Guinea," Waltham said. "They haven't been recorded any further south but the threat is if they aren't managed... then they actually may move through the Torres Strait and move into northern Australia."

The climbing perch is a noxious, exotic fish that can survive on land for several days by using lungs to breath. Waltham said not only was it aggressive, but if eaten, birds and other fish could die.

"Their gill covers, they can flex them out and get caught in the throats of fish and birds, so that leads to the animal dying," Waltham said.

A research team from James Cook University is helping educate Torres Strait islander fisherman to stop the further spread of the fish. Endi