Environmental groups are calling for our government to be the leaders in protecting our marine wildlife.

More than 1300 organisations and countries will vote whether to preserve 30 per cent of oceans as protected areas at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai'i this weekend.

Prime Minister John Key has already signalled New Zealand is likely to vote against the proposal.

World Wildlife Fund New Zealand's Director Chris Howe is at the Congress and said that's not good enough.

"We will still be seen as lagging behind if it doesn't support this motion. 30 per cent is a perfectly reasonable figure. It's in line with what we do in New Zealand on the land. If it's behind good enough for the lands, it's good enough for the sea."

Despite Key's predictions, Howe said the motion's got a good shot of being approved.

"Chances are reasonable. There are some nations who are skeptical but we've got a lot science, it's a reasonable target. We've seen the pressures that the ocean's under from direct fishing, but also from climate change."