More than 10,000 fishers have licences to take part in the 2022 marron fishery, which is open from Noon this Saturday, 8 January, and runs for four weeks to Noon on Saturday 5 February.
The limited fishing season is an important management measure to ensure this highly valued fishery remains sustainable.
For many recreational marron fishers, it’s an annual pilgrimage to experience camping and fishing, or just a getaway with family or friends, to catch a feed of WA’s unique freshwater cray. Like other freshwater fishing pursuits, marron season helps to boost the South West economy.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Director, Aquatic Resource Management, Nathan Harrison said the good rainfall in the past year will have helped boost the fishery.
“The improved productivity is likely to be reflected in coming seasons”, Mr Harrison said. “But catches for this season are expected to be about the same as 2021. The fishery is also being supported by a stocking initiative, with 70,000 marron released into two dams in the past year.”
“More marron stocking is planned under a project funded by recreational fishing licence fees.”
“Western Australian recreational fishers are lucky that every year, for a limited season, they have the chance to catch marron in the wild, along tree-lined rivers, or from popular irrigation dam locations and enjoy the unique experience this sustainably managed fishery offers.
“You may be camping out or walking through bush areas so it’s important everyone abides by the prohibition on campfires, because bushfire safety in WA is everyone’s responsibility. So, stay safe, stick to the rules and have fun this season enjoying your marron catches.”
In recent months, DPIRD researchers attached numbered yellow ‘spaghetti’ tags to marron at several dams. The tagged marron can be retained as part of the relevant bag and possession limits, provided they are above the minimum legal-size limit.
If you do find a tagged marron though, please report the dam where you caught it, the date, the tag number and, if possible, send a photo of that marron Marcus.Newman@dpird.wa.gov.au or call the research number 9203 0132 and leave a message with the details.
DPIRD Education officers will be out and about at key locations as the marron season opens to help fishers with information and fisheries compliance officers will be checking marron catches are within the rules, which are available in the Marron Recreational fishing guide 2022. If you suspect any illegal fishing activity, please call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 to make a report.
Image caption: If you catch a tagged marron this season, please let our researchers know by calling 9203 0132 or emailing Marcus.Newman@dpird.wa.gov.au with details.
Media contact: Ashley Malone, DPIRD media liaison - mobile 0418 901 767
