Photo: Ilovefishing.com.au
Camera IconPhoto: Ilovefishing.com.au Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Marron season kicked off today: here’s what you need to know

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

RECREATIONAL marron fishers are reminded to make sure they know the fishing rules for the marron season that started at mid-day today.

To ensure the highly-valued fishery remains sustainable into the future, the season is limited to a four-week period starting on Tuesday, June 8 and running until noon on February 5.

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Recreational marron fishers are encouraged to know and adhere to bag and size limits and use only legal fishing gear.

A license is required and as of this week, more than 10,000 individual recreational marron fishing licenses have been issued for the season.

Licenses can be purchased online via www.fish.wa.gov.au.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development director of aquatic resource management Nathan Harrison said fishing for marron was an experience unique to WA.

“This popular freshwater crustacean is only found in the southern half of WA,” he said.

“During the four-week season, large numbers of marron fishers are expected to flock to popular camping locations on the major South West freshwater rivers and irrigation dams – including Wellington Dam, the Blackwood River, Moore River and Harvey Dam.

Mr Harrison said the marron experience could only be safeguarded by careful management and fishers treating marron stocks with a sense of personal responsibility and stewardship.

“The limited four-week season and strict fishing rules makes the marron fishery one of the most carefully managed recreational fisheries in Australia,” he said.

“I encourage fishers to make the most of season but know the rules and adhere to bag limits.”

Fisheries officers will be in the field inspecting catches of marron, fishing gear and licenses along with departmental education officers promoting sustainable fishing.