However a law change removing one of the legislative exemptions that allowed farmers to shoot seals came into force on January 31.

This aligns with US rules, ensuring farmed fish can still be exported to the lucrative American market.

The SSPO said seals were only ever shot as a last resort by farmers protecting their stock.

It said the figures for the last 12 months – which represent the highest number of shootings for seven years – reflect the increasingly serious threat seals pose to farm-raised salmon.

The body, which represents salmon farmers, said Scotland’s seal population is booming. It estimated there are at least 132,000.