The Turnbull government's pledge of an additional $60 million to help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef has been dismissed by environmental groups and scientists as insufficient and a "wasteful publicity stunt".

The government's pledge of the funds over 18 months includes $10.4 million for "an all-out assault" to reduce the impact of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, the government said in a statement.

The number of vessels used to curb the spread of the starfish will increase from three to eight

About $36.6 million will also go to further reduce the run-off of nutrients and other pollution from farms near the Great Barrier Reef.