A ban on a super trawler acting as a mother ship, receiving and processing fish is in place until next April.

But a two-year ban on a super trawler hauling its nets expired last week, leading to speculation the controversial vessels could return to Tasmanian waters.

Earlier this week, an expert panel report, commissioned by the federal government, revealed the use of a super trawler would have a significant impact on a host of protected native seals and seabirds, even if precautions were taken.

A spokesperson for Mr Hunt yesterday said a final decision on the matter was pending.

‘‘The government is considering its response to the expert panel report as we work to develop a permanent solution,’’ he said.

‘‘In the meantime, the super trawler remains banned until April 2015.’’

When questioned yesterday, Seafish Tasmania spokesman Tim Powell ruled out the use of Dutch-owned super trawler FV Margiris, but did not state whether Seafish would use another super trawler vessel if the ban was lifted next year.

‘‘We do hold quota in the fishery and we will fish it some time in the future, but how, we’ll announce some time in the future,’’ he said.

The result of the expert panel report has sparked outrage among green groups, with members of Environment Tasmania expressing their disapproval of super trawlers on the lawn of Canberra’s Parliament House yesterday.

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the report result spoke for itself.

‘‘This super trawler scientific report vindicates the position of the Greens, recreational fishers, environment groups and the wider Tasmanian community,’’ he said.

‘‘The report found that even if protective measures were put in place, the super trawler would impact on protected species like seals, dolphins and seabirds and potentially lead to localised depletion of fish stocks.’’

A final decision on the super trawler ban is expected to be made next year.