The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has been working with partner organisations in an attempt to prevent the arrival of cane toads in the outer Torres Strait Islands.

Confirmed sightings of cane toads have recently been made on both Moa and Boigu, but following recent surveys conducted by the TSRA, they are confident that these sightings are isolated incidents and toads have not established at either island.

These isolated reports are a reminder that the region should keep an eye for further toad sightings.

Cane toads present a significant environmental risk to the regions biodiversity and native plant species due to their toxicity at every stage of the lifestyle, affecting all levels of the native food chain.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Pedro Stephen AM, said that they are working with partners to implement strategies to prevent the cane toads from spreading.

“With the assistance of the Torres Shire Council and My Pathways, we have installed cane toad fences at around the shipping distribution areas. We especially thank Sea Swift and Ports North for their cooperation in controlling toads in the distribution centres,” he said.

“We urge the community to check their shipments for cane toads, when travelling between the islands, especially if they have come from locations where cane toads are present, such as Cairns, Thursday Island and Horn Island.”

Mr Stephen said that it was essential to raise awareness of cane toads and the impact that they can have on outer island ecosystems.

“It is imperative that the cane toads do not migrate from Thursday Island and Horn Island to the outer islands of the Torres Strait,” he said.

“We are also working with the relevant stakeholders, Torres Shire Council, My Pathways, Tagai State School, and the Horn and Thursday Island communities, to minimise the chance of spreading.”

Mr Stephen said that they are also taking steps to ensure that the community is educated as their involvement is key to the successful control of cane toads intrusions on the outer islands.

“The students at Tagai State School constructed cane toad traps, last month to collect cane toads inside the shipping areas,” he said.

“The community has been doing an incredible job at toad busting, where over the last year they caught 4,825 toads on Thursday and Horn Island over 35 nights.”

Brochures have also been created by the TSRA to inform the community about the pest.