Environmentalists are calling for more legislation to protect a large wetlands area in central Queensland that flows into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Environmental groups have released a report that they commissioned about the Fitzroy Delta area around Rockhampton, which highlighted flow-on effects to the Great Barrier Reef if ports were expanded.

Stretching out from Rockhampton, the Fitzroy Delta is abundant with wetlands and marine life.

Ginny Gerlach, from the Keppel and Fitzroy Delta Alliance (KAFDA), said the Fitzroy Delta area covered an area of more than 100,000 hectares extending out from the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

"This is the largest and the last untouched estuarine system that's feeding into the Great Barrier Reef," she said.

"It is largely undeveloped and it is the largest river system on the east coast of Australia.

"This area is proven to be so valuable to the state, to our region and Australia because of its connectedness to the Great Barrier Reef."

Fears for vulnerable species

KAFDA, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) commissioned the report about the region's economic and environmental value.

Snubfin dolphins are one of the vulnerable populations in the area. ( AAP: Deborah Theile )

The report highlighted vulnerable snubfin dolphin and flatback turtle populations and estimates the natural asset value of the area between $500 million to nearly $3 billion.

"It's very critical that areas like the Fitzroy Delta, which are basically untouched and have no port developments, are recognised for the value that they have and are protected in the long term," Ms Gerlach said.

Ms Gerlach said over the past few years mining companies had flagged coal port developments in the Fitzroy Delta, which sparked widespread concern.

"In 2012, there were three massive port proposals on the table - two of which were actually progressing through the environmental impact statement systems and on the pathway to approvals," she said.

Those proposals have since fallen through, but KAFDA said with so many port developments earmarked along the east coast of Queensland, more assurances were needed to keep miners at bay.

Government moves will protect Fitzroy Delta, MP says

Keppel MP Bruce Young said the Queensland Government's Ports Bill would help protect areas such as the Fitzroy Delta.

Sorry, this video has expired More laws needed to protect wetlands near Barrier Reef: environmentalists ( Marlina Whop )

"Can I assure everyone within the Capricorn Coast in this region that there will be no coal infrastructure in the Fitzroy Delta, Port Alma, or down the mouth of the river," he said.

"The intent of the bill is to keep priority ports in one area so the footprint of coal will sit next to the existing coal infrastructure that's in Gladstone, so hopefully that will make everyone very happy."

Mr Young said Gladstone would remain the cornerstone for coal infrastructure.

However, Ms Gerlach said there were several more measures that could be taken by governments, including the expansion of a fish habitat area, changing marine park boundaries to align with the World Heritage Area, and listing the greater Fitzroy Delta area under the Ramsar Convention, which is an international conservation initiative for wetlands.