Dee fishing ban threat
01 January 2000
A proposal to ban or limit fishing on the River Dee in Grampian could seriously damage business at hotels in the region.
About 15 hotels would be affected if the Dee River Board, concerned over low salmon stocks, is granted permission either to close the river to all anglers next year, or shorten the eight-month season to five months.
Some hoteliers said about 30% of their bookings throughout the year came from anglers, most of whom stay for at least a week, often in parties of eight or more. Others depend on anglers for 50% of their business.
Solutions to the problem will be discussed later this month at a meeting of river proprietors, when the river board will take a decision on its next course of action.
