Anglers have got their hooks into Moray Council over claims that the Elgin flood prevention scheme has brought their club to the brink of collapse.
The Elgin Angling Association is “struggling to survive” following disruption along the River Lossie during the £86million alleviation project.
The group claims that membership dwindled from 400 to less than 100 as popular parts of the expanse were blocked off – despite promises that members would still enjoy access to the banks.
With annual membership costing £60, the association is now up to £18,000 down each year on when numbers started to plummet.
Now, with the works completed, the association is eager to boost its numbers by highlighting that the River Lossie is once again open for business.
Elgin Angling Association president, Frank Rhind, said that increasing membership was crucial to ensuring the 80-year-old body has a future.
Mr Rhind said: “One of our most popular beats, near the centre of Elgin, was closed off while the alleviation scheme was going on.
“Over the last three or four years, with locked gates preventing people from reaching that area, our numbers have fallen from 400 to about 90.
“That is a huge drop as far as revenue is concerned, and we had to seriously consider whether we could continue, as we do have obligations to meet.”
The Lossie District Salmon Fishery Board urged Moray Council to “fulfil its obligations” by recompensing the Elgin group so that it can “remain viable for years to come”.
Board chairman, David Houldsworth, said strong evidence of juvenile fish had recently been discovered in the river known for its sea trout.
A Moray Council spokesman said: “It’s difficult to understand why the angling association believes the council has been unhelpful and obstructive.
“The anglers’ claim for compensation was received in June 2015, and the following month the council sought further information and clarification which was not forthcoming until April 2016, at which point matters were put in the hands of the district valuer to negotiate a compensation settlement.
“Constructive discussions on what are specialist valuation issues have subsequently taken place and our hope is that matters can be concluded very soon.”
The flood prevention scheme commenced in April 2011 and was officially opened during a ceremony in Cooper Park last month.
