Leading scientists have said that the species of fish moving towards Australia may damage the wildlife in the area.

They said that the noxious climbing perch can move across land and choke birds. These fishes are travelling from Papua New Guinea to Australia and have already overrun two islands in the Torres Strait on Tuesday, according to James Cook University scientist Dr Nathan Waltham.It had already reached the Torres Strait islands of Boigu and Saibai, which are Ausrtralian territories and around five kilometers south of Papua New Guinea.

Waltham said, "We've only found them on Boigu and Saibai islands, islands closest to Papua New Guinea. 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 into northern Australia."

The species is a noxious, exotic fish that is capable of surviving in land for several days as it can use its lungs to breathe. They said that the fish is aggressive and if eaten, it could kill birds and other fish. Efforts are underway to teach Torres Strait islander fishermen to stop the spread of these fish.