Jon Ford

Jon Ford

Minister for Employment Protection; Regional Development; Fisheries; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne

    Good forecasts for marron season

    20/01/2006 1:00 AM
     
    20/1/06

    Beneficial rain and good management strategies have combined to improve stocks in Western Australia’s recreational marron fisheries for the 2006 season, which opens at noon today.

    Fisheries Minister Jon Ford said this uniquely Western Australian activity was keenly awaited every year by many marron fishers, who not only enjoyed the taste of the gourmet freshwater crayfish but the enjoyment of fishing for them.

    “Whether they are sitting beside a dam or on the banks of the Karri-lined streams of the State’s South-West, many people look forward to marron season,” Mr Ford said.

    “Increased rainfall over the past 12 months and the Department of Fisheries management arrangements for the fishery in the past four years have helped marron stocks begin to recover.

    “The shorter seasons for recreational marron fishing have taken some of the pressure off the fishery’s stock and created positive signs for the future of this highly valued resource.”

    The Minister said a successful restocking program had enabled him to approve the reopening of Waroona Dam to marron fishing for the 16-day season, which runs between noon today and noon on Sunday, February 5.

    “Waroona Dam has been assigned ‘trophy waters’ status this season, which means that because the marron are generally larger in size, it now has the same lower bag and possession limits which have applied at Harvey Weir for several years,” Mr Ford said.

    In trophy waters a daily bag limit of five applies, there is a possession limit of five marron within 500m of the waterline in both locations and the minimum legal size at Waroona Dam and Harvey Weir will be a 90mm carapace length.

    In other areas of WA’s recreational marron fishery, the daily bag limit is 10 per licensed fisher and the minimum legal size for marron taken is a 76mm carapace length.

    Mr Ford said he had also approved an extensive review of recreational marron fishing, which was currently under way, and he would be considering the recommended management controls that would be needed to keep the fishery sustainable in future years.

    “I would also urge marron fishers, who will be camping out during the 2006 season, to abide by all fire bans to help prevent the risk of creating bushfires,” the Minister said.

    More information on licences and rules for marron fishing is available from the Department of Fisheries’ website at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au

    Minister's office: 9213 7200