Environmental stakeholders in far north Queensland have expressed concern over the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the wet tropics.

The Federal Government will stop funding the Rainforest and Reef Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) from 2006.

John Rainbird from the local environment centre has a straightforward opinion.

"I'm absolutely disgusted by this decision and I'm not totally surprised given the level of government support on environmental issues," he said.

Marine biologist Dr Jamie Seymour says his work on marine stingers at James Cook University was based through the reef CRC.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I guess other areas or things like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are going to play more of a role," he said.

The university's pro-vice chancellor, Norman Palmer, says the situation has far reaching implications.

"A much bigger issue is the important research on sustainable management of the reef and the wet tropics rainforest for Australia," he said.

The centres can reapply for funding in 2006.