The Australian government has confirmed that a network of marine parks is to be created around the continent.
Environment Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio on Friday the plan will entail six marine regions covering more than 2.3 million square km of Australian waters.
A proposal to create a network of marine reserves was announced in June.
Mr Burke says more than 80,000 submissions have been received and most are in favour of the proposal.
AAP reports new marine reserves have been proclaimed in five of the six large marine regions in Australia. Reserves in the southeast region were proclaimed in 2007.
