By Isabel Vieira | posted on January 14, 2021
THE West Australian marron season is well underway, with hunters eager to make the most out of the restricted four- week season.
More than 10,000 recreational fishers hold licences to catch the unique WA crayfish, as the anticipated short season runs from January 8 to February 5.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Senior Management Officer Rhiannon Jones said people were lucky to be able to fish and enjoy marron here in the State.
“It’s an activity lots of families take part in, go- ing down to camp along the south coast at this time of year to target marron,” she said.
“It’s a great recreational activity.”
Ms Jones said the controlled season is kept in place to protect the highly-valued marron.
“It’s to ensure the species is sustainable into the future,” she said.
In Albany, people of- ten fish along the King and Kalgan Rivers, but the best marron hunting grounds are highly- protected by local fishers.
Strict rules apply to the size, quantity, gear type and locations when fishing for marron.
Last month a man appeared in Harvey Court and was ordered to pay fines and penalties of more than $8,000 for il- legally fishing 66 marrons out of season.
Ms Jones said most recreational fishes comply with the rules.
