Coral cover of the Great Barrier Reef feasibly can be saved by controlling the numbers of crown of thorns starfish, a latest study by researchers at the Australian Institute for Marine Science (AIMS) released on Tuesday.

Total coral cover in the region dropped dramatically from 28 per cent in 1985 to 13.8 per cent in 2012. That means the total coral coverage has dropped by 50.7 per cent. And it could lose half again in only ten years if its situation without change.

The loss of the past 27 years was due to storm damage (48 percent), crown of thorns starfish (42 percent), and bleaching (10 percent), according to the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences today.

The study shows that in the absence of crown of thorns, coral cover would increase at 0.89 percent per year, so even with losses due to cyclones and bleaching there should be gradual recovery.

"We can't stop the storms, and ocean warming (the primary cause of coral bleaching) is one of the critical impacts of the global climate change, However, we can act to reduce the impact of crown of thorns," said John Gunn, CEO of AIMS, in a statement.

"We at AIMS will be redoubling our efforts to understand the life cycle of crown of thorns so we can better predict and reduce the periodic population explosions of crown of thorns. It's already clear that one important factor is water quality, and we plan to explore options for more direct intervention on this native pest." John Gunn indicated.

The Australian Government "should reduce coal exports and take urgent action on the Great Barrier Reef if we are to save it for future generations", the Australian Greens said today in a press conference after AIMS releasing this news.

"We must act urgently to protect it from further degradation and exploitation because it is just too precious to lose," Australian Greens leader Christine Milne said.

"The report shows two of the biggest factors in coral loss are tropical storms and bleaching, both events which are made more frequent and intense by climate change, and yet the Australian and Queensland Governments are doggedly pursuing their coal-at-all- costs plan," Australian Greens environment spokesperson Larissa Waters said.

They reminded The Australian Government should now heed the warnings from UNESCO that the Reef could lose World Heritage status and reconsider their plans for major coal and gas ports developments.