Scientists warn a fish that can move across land and choke birds is travelling to Australia from Papua New Guinea (PNG), Xinhua news agency reported.

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, islands 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 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.

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

- Bernama