Western Australia does not need a marine park network because its fisheries are "some of the best managed in the world", says Fisheries Minister Norman Moore

Mr Moore said on Wednesday he opposed federal government plans to establish a network of marine sanctuaries along the west coast and accused conservationists of trying to "lock up" vast tracts of ocean.

Detailing the government's annual State of the Fisheries Report, Mr Moore said WA's marine environment was "well managed and healthy".

This was despite rock lobster and demersal scalefish quotas being halved in recent years to prevent the collapse of valuable commercial fisheries.

Mr Moore said this had been done to "ensure long term sustainability".

But he did not support marine sanctuaries that would impact on commercial fishing.

"I do not see the need for the extensive network of 'no take' zones proposed by the Commonwealth," Mr Moore said.

"WA's fisheries are regarded as some of the best managed in the world.

"I do not support the 'lock up' of an area if other management systems and processes can be implemented to protect certain species and biodiversity values."

University of WA Oceans Institute research professor Jessica Meeuwig said there would be no need to cut catch quotas in half if fisheries were well-managed.

"There doesn't appear to be any evidence that rock lobster are recovering," Dr Meeuwig said.

"There's been no published evidence on the recovery of dhufish, baldchin grouper and these are species only found in WA.

"Of the four local shark species, two are at unacceptable levels of breeding stock."

Dr Meeuwig said marine sanctuaries could protect commercial breeding populations as well as other species that did not fall under fisheries management.

"People are keen on fishing, there is economic value to it, so it's difficult to bring change to the industry," she said.

WA Conservation Council marine spokesman Tim Nicol said Mr Moore's comments were at odds with his own premier, Colin Barnett, who recently announced a network of marine parks along WA's northern coastline.

"Norman Moore really needs to talk to the premier, because he's actually putting in marine sanctuaries in the Kimberley, Pilbara and other areas," he said.

"It's really old-fashioned thinking that you can't have marine sanctuaries and a fishing industry at the same time."

WWF marine manager Paul Gamblin said while fish stocks needed to be managed, other marine life also need protection.

"It's not locking up large areas, its looking at a proportion of important habitat that needs to be protected for all species," he said.

Mr Gamblin said marine parks would benefit fisheries by reducing the threat of oil and gas exploration.

Mr Moore said the WA government was prepared to compromise with Canberra and had submitted its views on the marine park proposal.

thewest.com.au