A permanent memorial to commemorate Aberdeen’s fishing industry could soon be erected in the city under plans led by the council.
Lord Provost George Adam is spearheading the drive to establish a monument similar to the Gordon Highlanders and Robert the Bruce statues which currently take pride of place at Marischal College and the Castlegate respectively.
The local authority has already set aside £50,000 from the Common Good Budget for 2015/16, while the Scottish Government has matched that funding commitment with a contribution of £50,000.
It is understood that private sponsors with links to the region’s fishing industry could also pitch in.
The budgets for the two other statues recently erected in the city centre were £125,000 each.
Mr Adam, a Labour councillor, put the idea forward in December last year following approaches from people within the industry.
He called upon his fellow elected members to support the plan for a “lasting memorial” to the men and women involved in the city’s fishing industry, both in peacetime and in war.
It would also commemorate the “major contribution” that fishing has made to the city’s life and heritage.
A working group was set up to take forward the project, but councillors have to agree next week to proceed with selecting a site for the piece.
A budget will also have to be agreed, along with a plan for the commissioning process, the shortlisting and selection of an artist and a timescale for completion and formal opening.
Members of the public are unlikely to be asked to contribute. A report to full council next Wednesday states: “Officers do not propose a public fundraising scheme as part of the initiative.
“This could lead to significant delays in both commissioning an artist while a final budget is established and, as a consequence, could add up to 18 months onto the project duration.”
Mr Adam said: “I was delighted when council last year supported my motion calling for initial work to be carried out on establishing a memorial to the north-east fishing industry.
“The identity of the north-east is deeply entwined with the industry and I believe that it is fitting that its contribution to the life of this area is appropriately honoured.”