Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay fishing beat owners serve writ in rafting dispute.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay fishing beat owners serve writ in rafting dispute.

This appeared on the STV news today.
Proprietors on the Upper Tay say whitewater rafting on the river is 'decimating' their sporting estates.

Fishing beat owners on the River Tay are taking court action over an access dispute with rafters on the water.

The proprietors on the Upper Tay are taking the legal action after years of fruitless discussions between themselves and white water rafters.

Fishermen claim that the large numbers of rafters who use the water in Perthshire make it impossible for them to enjoy their sport.

Earlier this year, the Tay District Salmon Fishing Board unsuccessfully asked Perth and Kinross Council for the introduction of a byelaw restricting the use of the Upper Tay by rafters.

Fishing beat owners on the water will serve a writ on the council calling for a ruling on the dispute after talks mediated by the Local Access Forum over the past few years proved unsuccessful.

Angus Crow, chairman of the Lower Grandtully Timeshares, said: "It is so sad that it has had to come to this. We have a shared interest in the river and have been working through the accepted channels allowed for within the access legislation, to hopefully reach an agreement which allows both the rafting and fishing business to flourish in this part of the river.

"As it is, the present system is unworkable and whilst the rafting businesses expand and improve in their profitability, the fishing interests are on their knees. Most of the fishing beats in this area are seldom fished now. Tenants come once and never return and one of Scotland’s heritage assets is being decimated.

"We are utterly frustrated that whilst we are prepared to accept, albeit reluctantly, the recommendations of the Local Access Forum, the rafting companies are not, and without going to court we are powerless to defend our property assets and hard won business."

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