New federal approvals for gas and oil exploration intrude on marine parks that are home to dolphins, turtles, sponge gardens, coals and a diverse array of fish.
Conservationists are struggling to reconcile Labor's stated ambitions to be a global leader on ocean conservation with its decision to open up almost 47,000 square kilometres of Commonwealth waters to fossil fuel exploration.
Resources Minister Madeleine King says the decision, affecting 10 offshore areas, is about securing energy supplies as Australia strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Cat Dorey from the Australian Marine Conservation Society says its unthinkable that the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park, off the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley Marine Park, off Western Australia, could be subjected to seismic surveys.
The technique uses powerful air guns to fire loud blasts of compressed air every 10 to 15 seconds. The sound waves produced penetrate the seabed and returning sound patterns help identify likely locations for oil and gas.
Last year, a Senate inquiry into seismic testing recommended the government create exclusion zones for seismic activities in or around marine parks due to the impact on wildlife, which is not fully understood.
Dr Dorey says areas released for exploration this week include locations within the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park, a feeding and breeding site for marine turtles that's also home to rich sponge gardens, corals, and fish communities.
One of the exploration areas also crosses into the Kimberley Marine Park, used by humpback whales for breeding and calving and as a nursery for three dolphin species. Another two releases are close to other marine parks off WA.
"By opening up these parks to exploration, the Albanese government risks treating these areas as paper parks only," Dr Dorey said.
"The sound from seismic blasting can travel hundreds to thousands of kilometres. It can kill or injure marine creatures close by, and damage the hearing of whales and dolphins."
Richard Leck is the head of oceans for WWF-Australia and says most Australians would be dumbfounded by the prospect of fossil fuel exploration in protected areas amid the fight against climate change.
"The last thing the planet needs is more oil and gas development and the last thing Australia's magnificent marine wildlife need is new offshore gas platforms in and round their marine sanctuaries," he said.
"It seems really inconsistent with the promises that have been made to re-establish Australia as a leader in global oceans protection."
AAP asked the resources minister if potential impacts on marine parks were assessed before opening up areas for exploration. A spokesperson replied by saying not all areas necessarily would be.
"These areas have been made available for bidding. Areas may or may not receive bids. If an area does receive a bid, it must be assessed and found to be of merit.
"If an exploration permit is awarded, the explorer must then seek further environment and safety approvals from the regulator and consultation is part of this process."
Earlier this month, a group of prominent marine scientists took aim at Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's claim that 30 per cent of Australia's marine territory is already protected.
They said industrial fishing and oil and gas exploration are allowed in marine park areas and many are "parks only on paper".
Ms Plibersek has promised a statutory review process of the national marine parks networks, with any changes to be guided by science.
In June, the environment minister told a UN conference she wanted to show global leadership on ocean conservation.
