Other scientists, though agreeing the sampling is an important process, believe it's not the solution to the problems faced by coral reefs.

Charlie Veron said, "It's a good exercise, it's needed, but it's not an answer."

Professor Terry Hughes from Queensland's James Cook University is also skeptical. He says the reef could never be re-constructed from frozen samples.

Hughes insists that there should be greater focus on addressing the causes of coral decline.

The Australian government has implemented a five-year action plan to develop and test strategies that will give the reef the best chance of coping with climate change.