UNDER siege Environment Minister Peter Garrett appears to have ignored the advice of yet another group - this time scientists, who urged him to extend a research program in north Queensland.

Mr Garrett, stripped of his energy efficiency portfolio after he was accused of ignoring safety warnings about the trouble-plagued home insulation program, also ignored advice from a group set up to advise him about Reef and rainforest research, a whistleblower says.

The Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility Ministerial Advisory Council, made up of representatives from regional business and industry, research organisations, indigenous and community groups, had recommended Mr Garrett extend research to other parts of the Great Barrier Reef and make scientific data more freely available to the community.

But after it made these recommendations to Mr Garrett in 2008, the advisory council was sacked, and its role taken on by another committee, made up of only scientific and public service representatives.

Former Chairman of the MTSRF Ministerial Advisory Council John McIntyre fears the dismissal of the council, in 2008, may eventually lead to the North's scientific resources being steered away from local stakeholders, and instead come under the control of Federal bureaucrats.

It comes as 20 scientists - including key researchers - have quit their positions in Cairns, with many more expected to follow, out of concern there will not be enough funding for future research projects in North Queensland.

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