It is 'now or never' for the Great Barrier Reef

Neon damselfish swim among bleached
coral and crown-of-thorns 
starfish on the Great Barrier Reef.

The fate of the Great Barrier Reef will be sealed in the next five years, according to scientists who say if the Government wants to save the reef it is "now or never".

Researchers from James Cook University are pushing for all sides of Government to commit $10 billion over the next decade to ensure its survival.

Chief research officer Jon Brodie said without the funding whoever is in power could give up on any chance of maintaining the reef's heritage status.

Mr Brodie said one of the major threats to the reef was poor water quality.

Read the ABC story - “Great Barrier Reef could be beyond repair within five years, scientists say.”