A band of locals fighting to ensure King Island — known for its pumping surf, golf courses and beautiful scenery — does not become synonymous with fish farms have started boycotting salmon products.

Nine food businesses across the 1,098-square-kilometre island have joined a farmed salmon boycott which began this Monday as a symbolic protest against Tasmania's biggest salmon producer Tassal's decision to look into the feasibility of expanding its operations off the east coast after being granted a permit last year.

Opponents to fish farming have pointed to Tassal's record at Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, including a Four Corners report that aired concerns about the health of the west-coast Tasmanian harbour where Tassal was found to have failed to comply with 19 requirements for certification at two sites, causing damage to a nearby World Heritage Area.

Tassal later won back certification and pledged it would apply stringent controls and monitoring.

Tassal's move to the island has been welcomed by many, however opponents of fish farming say the mishaps at Macquarie Harbour show the risk to the environment is too great to justify.

Trevor Hamer, owner of the King Island Bakehouse, said he would stop making his popular fish quiche as part of the boycott.

"It's a bit of an institution, but we feel really strongly about not having fish farms here," he said.

Mr Hamer surfs and fishes the island's eastern shores in his spare time.

"I understand the argument over jobs and growth, but our fundamental point is we have a pristine environment here to maintain. That's the King Island brand. Why risk that?" he said.

The hazards of fish farming at Macquarie Harbour have not gone unnoticed by some on King Island. ( Supplied: Tassal )

The mood at Ocean's Dune Hotel grows dark whenever Tassal or fish farms are mentioned, according to owner John Smith.

"The feeling is foul," he said.

"I'll be blunt. The word I hear every day from people in the community here is pretty much the same thing: 'we don't want you or need you here, please bugger off'."

Mr Smith's business is among those which have joined the boycott. He runs the Ocean's Dune as well as a restaurant on the island.

An omelette laced with fish is now strictly off the menu, and salmon-laced cream cheese bagels are a thing of the past.

"This is just our small way of expressing our view," he said.

"We might not be powerful but we will still put up a fight and make our point heard."

Charlie Stubbs, a spokesman for the community group Keep King Island Fish Farm Free, said he hoped the boycott sent a "very clear message": Tassal and other producers are not welcome to farm.

Champion surfer Jamie O'Brien has joined those speaking out against fish farming at King Island. ( Supplied: Sean Davey )

'I urge them to reconsider'

A Tassal spokesperson told the ABC the company was "sorry to hear" of the businesses' boycott of salmon products.

"Our intention is simply to understand if salmon farming is even possible and to consult with the community," they said.

"We will continue to listen and engage and provide updates on the research findings also."

The boycott has been described by Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff as setting an "extremely dangerous precedent".

In a statement, Mr Rockliff said "the decision by some businesses on King Island to boycott Tasmanian salmon is unfortunate, and I urge them to reconsider".

"It is unfair to all salmon companies, particularly their employees, and potentially sets an extremely dangerous precedent for an island economy largely reliant on primary industries."

He assured the community the Government would "not allow anything to happen" which "compromised the King Island brand".

US pro surfer says 'leave it how it is'

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The boycott comes as another high-profile surfer adds his voice to the call to keep King Island free of fish farms.

This week, Australian former champion surfers Tom Carroll and Barton Lynch went public with their concerns about the effect salmon farming would have on Martha Lavinia Beach, which is adjacent to the exploration permit area on King Island's east coast.

US-born professional surfer Jamie O'Brien has appeared in a video on the Martha Lavinia Beach Facebook page, calling the stretch of coastline "one of those places that you should just leave how it is".

"I just want to say to the Tasmanian Government, please don't ruin Martha," O'Brien said.

"I've been there. Some of the funnest waves I've ever surfed. It's absolutely a stunning place.

O'Brien, a winner of the Pipeline Masters and producer of a number of surf films, said he hoped "you guys don't ruin a beautiful thing".

"Leave it just how it is and let the kids enjoy and everybody enjoy."