Just 2,000 seals will now be killed, 2,300 less than originally planned.

A group of Norwegian hunters, in their boat the Kvitungen, have been sent home leaving local hunters to carry out the cull.

Announcing the decision, Scottish Secretary Brian Millan said he believed scientific advice he had received was correct but due to widespread public concern he had decided to revise the number of seals to be killed.

"In the light of this situation and notwithstanding what I have said about the need for an adult cull I have decided to withdraw the Norwegian firm" he said.

The Natural Environment Research Council which advised the government to carry out the cull said if no action were taken the number of seals would double, to 140,000, in ten years.

Seals account for an annual loss of £12m to the fishing industry as a result of the amount of fish they consume.