Conservation groups have welcomed the release of potential areas for marine protection in Australia's northern oceans.
The Federal Government is considering areas extending from the border of Western Australia and the Northern Territory across to Cape York in Queensland.
There are different levels of protection, but it is possible that all kinds of industry could be banned from some areas.
The Marine Conservation Society's Prue Barnard says it is part of the Government's commitment to create a network of marine parks by 2012.
She says the move should not be a concern for fishermen.
"Often some fish, when they're bigger, they produce more eggs and larvae and actually go out of those areas and create more fish for surrounding regions," she said.
"There's many positive impacts."
She says the recent oil rig leak off the Kimberley coast underlines the need for sanctuaries.
"If the marine protected areas are well designed with high levels of marine sanctuaries, the marine environment will have its best chance of surviving such an impact," she said.