Meeting held on Earn proposals

A local MSP is attempting to calm the waters in a row between anglers and a government body.

Liz Smith held a public meeting for anglers to air their concerns about the proposed changes to the categorisation of the River Earn for 2018.

Marine Scotland is proposing the Earn will become a category three river rather than a category two, which has considerable implications for local angling clubs.

The methodology for categorising rivers has come in for criticism in recent years and local angling clubs lost between 20% and 40% of their members when the Government previously reclassified the river.

Clubs fear closure if the 2018 proposals go ahead.

Ms Smith said: “These proposals from Marine Scotland have the potential to have a devastating impact on the local angling clubs at Kinkell Bridge, Comrie and Crieff.

“Category three status means all fish have to be returned to the water and therefore, there is a negative impact on local angling clubs, who have already seen a significant drop in their membership.

“Worse still, however, is the fact that the data by which Marine Scotland appears to be making these proposals is not wholly accurate and that is clearly something that is upsetting local experts who have collected a substantial amount of their own.”