Plans to protect a globally significant marine habitat off Western Australia's coast have been announced after decades of advocacy by conservationists.

The WA government announced on Friday that a new marine park would be created encompassing the entirety of the Exmouth Gulf.

Adjacent to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the gulf spans mangrove wetlands, coral enclaves, whale and dugong nurseries and one of WA's most productive prawn fisheries.

Premier Roger Cook said the Exmouth Gulf Marine Park would be jointly managed with traditional owners to protect its cultural and environmental values, while preserving its ongoing social end economic use.

"A carefully zoned and properly managed marine park will allow us to achieve the proper social, economic and environmental outcomes,"

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