The Federal Government is backing away from a plan for a giant Antarctic marine reserve system in the face of international opposition.

At its third attempt to gain approval, the 1.6 million square kilometre East Antarctic system put forward by Australia, France and the European Union is to be broken down to smaller pieces hoped to win approval.

"The compromise that we've put on the table is, for those who are wary about the full outcome, let's look at a staged approach," Environment Minister Greg Hunt told reporters on Monday.

"I would like to get the whole thing as soon as possible," Mr Hunt said. "But...If we can go to zero to something significant, I think that would be an outstanding success."

The seven reserves cover distinctive areas of high biodiversity, and feeding areas for seals, whales and seabirds. They form the most biggest single system up for debate at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.