Seal ruling could threaten farm workers' safety

Ministers had argued fish farm staff, and their families, may receive threats if the information was released but the Commissioner did not accept that disclosing the information would represent a substantial threat to public safety and the information is likely to be made available within 6 weeks.

The move has been welcomed by the anti-salmon farm lobby, not least by Don Staniford, of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture – the group behind the freedom of information request – who claimed a “landmark victory”.

However, Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, said the number of seals shot by salmon farmers had declined dramatically in recent years.

He added: "We have championed deterrence techniques that are designed to keep seals away from our fish, and shooting is always a last resort."