Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the government's proposed $100 million assistance package will not adequately compensate the fishing industry affected by a planned marine reserve network.
More than 2.3 million square kilometres of ocean environment around Australia will be protected from July 2014, federal Labor announced on Friday.
Environment Minister Tony Burke says the government recognises there will be impacts on some fishers, which is why $100 million is being allocated under a fisheries adjustment assistance package.
But Mr Abbott says that figure falls short of what will be required to properly compensate the industry.
"We support strong environmental protection but it cannot be at the expense of the livelihoods of people who make their living from the sea," he told reporters in Sydney.
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Should the coalition win the next election, they will review the marine reserves plan, including the associated compensation package.
"The problem with the process that has given us these marine protected areas is that there was no strong science, no adequate consultation and no real compensation offered," Mr Abbott said.
