Last chance to save reef, scientists warn

The Great Barrier Reef will be "terminal" within five years unless the federal government spends $10 billion to improve water quality, researchers have warned.

James Cook scientists Jon Brodie and Professor Richard, who issued the warning in a paper published this week, say the federal election is probably the last chance to save the Great Barrier Reef.

"If something is not done in this election cycle then we may not see good coral again within our children's lifetime," Mr Brodie said.

The researchers have called on the government to commit to reducing pollution so the reef can survive the inevitable impacts of global warming.

"If we want to provide resilience against the current climate impacts, water management needs to be greatly improved, both in terms of money made available and a cohesive strategy, by 2025," said Mr Brodie.

The two say the government would need to spend $1 billion a year over the next decade to prevent a Crown of Thorns starfish outbreak, or something similar, from permanently destroying coral.

"It may seem like a lot of money, but we know that amount would be effective and it's small by comparison to the economic worth of the GBR, which is around $20 billion per year," Mr Brodie said.