Environment Minister Tony Burke announced on Friday that the federal government has declared some 538,000 square kilometres of Australia's south-west oceans as marine protected areas. This means, all fishing activities in the protected zones are prohibited.

In a statement, Burke said the government is planning to declare eight new protected areas across the vast south-west oceans, including a large stretch from Esperance to Augusta, to be known as the South-West Corner Marine Reserve.

Burke said, ''For generations Australians have understood the need to preserve precious areas on land as national parks. Our oceans contain fragile marine life, which deserve protection too."

However Burke added that the Perth Canyon, a submarine canyon similar in size to the Grand Canyon, which many credits for its ecological importance, is declared as a "multiple use zone." It means regulated fishing will be allowed in the area.

The new marine reserves are in Commonwealth waters, which start 5.5 kilometres from the coast, and stretch from Kangaroo Island to Geraldton.

The Labour government said the plan is part of its commitment in preserving Australia's vast oceans. It will also roll out marine reserves rights across the Australian coast by next year.

Proposed protected areas for the north-west and north oceans will be released mid-year with more plans towards the end of the year.