Anglers are being offered the chance to take over a fishing beat in a north-east village.
Aberdeenshire Council now only manages fishing in Alford after handing over control in Inverurie and Kintore to local angling associations.
Now the authority is offering the same opportunity to interested groups to take over Haughton Fishings, on the right hand bank of the River Don, and Waterside Fishings, on the left bank of the river.
Transferring management of the Alford beats would achieve financial savings, including administration costs and the annual Fishery Board Assessment Fee.
Both are well-established salmon, sea trout and brown trout beats.
Local anglers or any other interested parties keen to get involved in their future are invited to attend a meeting later this month.
The aim is to establish whether there is a firm commitment from volunteers to form and run an Alford Angling Association to oversee both sites.
Janelle Clark, Marr area manager, said: “The council will be able to provide assistance and technical support during the handover period to facilitate the establishment of an angling association and to enable the group to take on responsibility for management.
“Clearly this is an important local asset, but if we don’t get any volunteers and there’s no desire to manage the beats in the community, the council will have to consider other options, which may include disposal on the open market.
“Managing fishing beats is not a core council service and due to increasing budgetary constraints we have to find cost savings where possible.”
The meeting will take place on August 27, from 7-9pm in Room D69 at Alford Community Campus.
For more information contact area project officer Lizzy Shepherd on 07717 800533 or email lizzy.shepherd@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
