The Queensland and Federal governments are not listening to scientists about the mass coral bleaching hitting the Great Barrier Reef, a renowned researcher says.

Dr Charlie Veron, a prominent marine scientist who is known as the "Godfather of Coral" for having discovered about one-third of all coral species in the world, described the severe bleaching across the northern reef as "gut-wrenching".

Dr Veron said he was angry the Great Barrier Reef was not being made a priority.

"Governments are being anything but up-front — they're behaving like a mob of drunken sailors," he said.

Dr Veron said scientists had warned governments for decades about risks to the reef and frustration was building over state and federal approvals for Adani's giant Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland.

"For heaven's sake, take it seriously - listen to scientists for a change," he said.

"They never listen about climate change in general and now they're not listening about the Great Barrier Reef."

University of Queensland Professor Justin Marshall, who has been monitoring the reef for decades, also urged action.

"I'm now just furious that the Federal Government is still sitting back not doing enough," he said.

Scientists warn if policy does not change, severe bleaching would keep happening.

Federal Government 'taking this deeply seriously'

However, Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt rejected claims he was not listening.

"We're taking this deeply seriously," he said.

"I asked [Dr] Veron himself what he would want to see done on this bleaching event — he said there was nothing in his belief that could be done now — I take a different view."

Mr Hunt said the Carmichael coal mine was ultimately the Queensland Government's responsibility, arguing the Federal Government was doing everything it could to reduce the impact on the reef.

"Action on water quality, action on crown-of-thorns [starfish], action on monitoring, are real and fundamental steps that have been taken, are being taken and continued to be stepped up," Mr Hunt said.

Queensland State Development Minister Anthony Lynham argued the Carmichael coal mine would not contribute to increased global emissions.

"The world is meeting its emissions reduction targets as per the Paris accord," he said.

"Australia is meeting its commitments, but I'd ask the Federal Government to implement an emissions trading scheme as soon as possible."