However, the company has not denied that its own industrial activity has led to water pollution in the past.

Yesterday, Environment Tasmania released a statement calling for tougher regulations for salmon farms, after a report showed scientific monitoring of farms was  ‘‘inadequate’’.

Tassal announced this week it had plans to double the size of its industry in the next 15 years.

Marine co-ordinator for Environment Tasmania said the salmon industry had been manipulating the public and contributed to the death of marine life across the country.

‘‘We know that at least 144 protected seals have died as a result of fish farming since 2009,’’ she said.

‘‘We know that farmed salmon is not naturally pink, but dyed to be the classic salmon colour that most Australians would think is natural.

‘‘Right now, salmon farming is the ocean equivalent of overcrowded caged chicken farms. They are polluting Tasmania’s clean waters, damaging the health of the marine environment.’’

Tassal hit back at the comments, but did not distance itself for questions regarding its own waste management policy.

‘‘We’re farming, so obviously it’s going to have an impact on the waterways,’’ Tassal head of sustainability Linda Sams said.

‘‘I think pollution is a strong word.

‘‘We’re not too fussed [by the comments]. It’s about finding a balance – we’re really working hard on finding a compromise with the environment.’’

Ms Sams said the report touched on by Environment Tasmania featured no new information and Tassal was focused on the future of its industry.