The Bob Brown Foundation's fish farm and marine campaigner Rebecca Howarth said the foundation was calling for a stop to fish farm expansion and the draw-down of operations in certain parts of the state.

However, Ms Howarth said she would not be drawn on how the industry could achieve the request.

"It's up to the industry to show us the ways that they can operate sustainably, it's not up to citizens, and NGOs to come up with their solutions," she said.

"We want the industry to show us the ways they can operate sustainably and if we don't see that happening, we'll be absolutely calling this out."

READ MORE: Birthday beers for Boag's as the brewery celebrated 140 years

Ms Howarth said the government had failed to regulate the salmon industry and provide environmental protection leading to the implementation of a citizen watchdog to be managed by the foundation.

She said the foundation will operate a hotline so Tasmanians could report on salmon operations around the state.

"We are asking citizens to step up and report, and that can be anonymous to this hotline and report on any abuse that they're witnessing," she said

She said the hotline would give the community an opportunity to provide information so the foundation can lobby the government for better marine outcomes.

READ MORE: Schools remain 'allergy aware', says department

Tasmanian Salmon Growers Association facilitator Dr Julian Amos said the actions of the Bob Brown Foundations were intended to put the salmon industry 'on notice' but said the action was unnecessary.

"We're on notice every single day because we conform to a very strict regulatory environment in terms of the behaviours, what we do and how we do it," he said.

"I don't think that the approach they're taking is necessarily going to be particularly effective."

Dr Amos urged the representatives of the foundation to consult with scientists at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies about the environmental conditions in which the industry operates.

Ms Howarth said the foundation was concerned about the eco-certifications being provided to the state's salmon industry.

"We are really concerned about the dubiousness of these eco-certifications and we think that consumers are being misled, that they're extremely dubious and not exercising rigorous eco-standards," she said.

"The RSPCA is currently giving it's stamp to Huon aquaculture, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council is giving it's stamp to Tercel."

READ MORE: A dive into Mental Health Week 2021 and the support available

Dr Amos said the environmental and health concerns of the foundation were unfounded.

"You've got to ask the question, what is it that they're actually talking about, because if they're talking about fish swimming in a sea of filth, well that's nonsense," he said.

"The fish that goes onto the table of Australian consumers is very healthy and very safe to eat."

Ms Howarth said there was a litany of environmental issues associated with the salmon industry including the waste salmon farming produces.

"The amount of sewage that is being released from these farms is a huge amount and includes nitrogen which can cause eutrophication of our bays," she said.

"This actually has a grave impact on our marine environment. It can threaten our endangered species, and it actually changes the biodiversity of our ecosystems."

READ MORE: Funding concerns for LGH health precinct masterplan

She said the impact was already evident in the algal blooms occurring at beaches across the state.

Dr Amos said the salmon farmers worked within the strict boundaries of the industries environmental regulations, and said he believed the the actions of the foundation were aimed at demoralising Tasmania's aquaculture workers.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Follow us on Google News: The Examiner