A bid to prevent the Turnbull government reducing environmental protection in Australia's national marine parks has failed after Labor and the Greens were unable to secure Senate crossbench support.

Separate disallowance motions to block the government's plan to increase commercial fishing and other activities in the 3.3 million square kilometres of protected offshore regions lost 29 votes to 36 on Thursday.

More fishing will be permitted in Australia's national marine parks under the Turnbull government's plan.

"The plans strike the right balance between conservation, recreation and economic development and are based on a balanced, scientific and evidence-based approach to marine park management," Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a joint statement with other ministers.

It is understood Tony Burke, Labor's environment spokesman, will take a submission to next week's Caucus meeting to recommend that a Labor government would restore the marine park network.