The Liberal government's plan to develop a new blueprint for the salmon industry is a failed attempt to create social licence for fish farming expansion in Tasmania, the Greens say.
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Meanwhile, fish farm protesters intend to release "secret maps" that they say are from within government departments, that detail swathes of Tasmanian coastlines that may become open to fin-farming.
The Liberal Government released a statement on Thursday stating it will develop a 10 year Salmon Plan in two years, and announced an immediate year-long moratorium on new fish farm licenses.
This would buy time for research into off-shore salmon farming in deeper Commonwealth waters, and increase land based salmon farming.
The salmon industry has signaled their full backing for the future plan.
Green environment spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff said the announcement was "spin", and evidence of the government's clear intention to double the industry.
Fish farm protesters also believe that the announcement was a cover to continue business as usual, and an attempt to raise the industry's reputation following the release of Richard Flanagan's book Toxic.
"Instead of recognising the limits of marine systems, the government's plan endorses a trade off of dead and zombie leases for new waters. It's clear the Gutwein Government has doubled down on doubling the industry and are hoping their spin will buy them the social licence," Dr Woodruff said.
"It won't. The Liberals' fish farm plan will do nothing to allay community and consumer concerns about environmental and animal welfare harm. The full-throated support from the salmon industry body says everything communities need to know."
Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) president Peter George said the government was taking no action on the prevention of further damage from current fish farms.
He said "secret maps" revealed earmarked areas for fin-farming on Tasmania's north and east coasts.
"It is providing cover for the industry to do what it has always been doing, but leaving the way open to go and invade new areas," Mr George said.
"It will allow them to trash the areas that they are operating in now, leave those areas behind without any reparations whatsoever, and move on to new areas and new coastal communities off the coast."
Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said the new plan would support an innovative and sustainable future for the salmon industry, with the future firmly cemented farming further off shore and increasing land based systems.
He said current projects in planning, such as earmarked farm on the North West, would provide input into the new plan.
