River workers in the North in fear of their jobs yesterday descended on Inverness to make their voice heard in the ongoing debate over the controversial Land reform Bill. About 20 members of the Crofting Counties Fishing Rights Group (C.C.F.R.G.) lobbied Highlands and Islands Enterprise Chairman Jim Hunter. And they claimed that up to 800 river related jobs could be lost if the bill goes ahead in its present form, the group fear the proposed right-to-buy and compulsory purchase powers for crofting communities over land to Salmon rivers could devastate Salmon fishing and affect tourism Head ghillie on the River Helmsdale, Peter quail , 28 , said "We invest a lot of time in keeping these rivers in good condition for six months of the year we're working 24hrs a day policing the River." It is said that some jobs might be lost with the new reforms, if one job goes it's a bad bill "I got this job three years ago. And I thought I had a job for life how can I make long term plans?" The river workers carried placards and posters depicting a ghillie with a P45 and mr Hunter as the new laird. Later in the morning they met the H.I.E. chairman afterwards a spokesman for the group , Thurso river superintendant Eddie McCarthy said "At least we were listened to for the first time in about seven months but basically we're still poles apart. "We just couldn't get them to budge on the compulsory purchase aspect of the bill "I find it incredible that people who are genuinely in fear of loosing their jobs aren't being involved in a discussion process. Are we asking questions they can't answer? " H.I.E. acknowledged there were differences of opinion , but promised to look further into the issues. Mr Hunter said "Although we have heard the views of the C.C.F.R.G. in the past few months we had not been contacted nor met formally with any of its members," "Today presented us with with an opportunity to do that ,which I welcomed "It is important to stress that the draft land reform legislation which is causing them concern has not been drafted by myself or by H.I.E. but by the Scottish executive, and many of the legitimate issues and arguments being aired by the C.C.F.R.G. today should be directed at M.S.P.s and ministers "Today's meeting was a very useful opportunity to hear those concerns at first hand and what we have agreed that a study be carried out within the next few weeks. To properly examine the full economic and employment implications of community ownership of fishing Rivers. "The remit of this study will be developed in consultation with river workers and its findings will certainly inform the ongoing debate about the land reform legislation, " Finally we are keen having met the C.C.F.R.G. to keep that dialogue going and we look forward to meeting them again in the near future . " Last night a spokesman for the Scottish Parliament labelled the C.C.F.R.G.s claims that it was being ignored as demonstrably untrue, he said this group has been invited to give oral evidence to the rural development committee, it has given written evidence to Justice 2 committee and if it makes a request to give oral evidence, it will be considered in exactly the same way as any other group that makes a request."