Fishers urged to use correct gear for the 2014 marron season

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Image credit: flickr User: www.jeroenstel.com

Fishers who are active during Western Australia’s popular marron season are urged to check the Department of Fisheries’ guide in order to educate themselves and ensure they have the proper gear for catching marron.

Image credit: flickr User:  www.jeroenstel.com
Image credit: flickr User: www.jeroenstel.com

According to the media release by the Department of Fisheries of Western Australia, the annual recreational marron season has been operating off fixed dates since 2010 and opens each year from Noon on 8 January and closing at Noon on 5 February.

“Marron is only found in WA and, as such, the experience of wild-stock marron fishing is unique to our State and, in order to keep the fishery sustainable, there are important rules that need to be followed,” said South West Bioregions Manager Tim Nicholas.

All fishers must have a marron fishing licence and be acquainted with the rules, allowable fishing gear and other significant information. All necessary information can be found in the Recreational fishing for marron guide 2014 that can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Fisheries at www.fish.wa.gov.au. A copy of the guide can also be collected from the Department of Fisheries’ offices or Information Outlets.

 “Major public dams are ‘snare only’ fishing areas for example, so the use of drop and scoop nets is not permitted in those locations. This year’s focus for Fisheries and Marine Officers in the South West will be checking that only legal gear is being used and that traps are not being deployed for marron fishing,” said Mr Nicholas.

Adertisement

“The Recreational fishing for marron guide 2014 not only covers the rules and fishing gear to use, it also has details on where you can and cannot fish for marron, plus advice on catch care. All recreational fishers play a key role in the sustainability of the fishery, by not taking undersize marron or more than the limits allow for. We also need marron fishers to be mindful of the potential for bushfires and to pay special attention to fire ban rules that apply in the area they are fishing or camping.”

Up-to-date marron licences can be purchased online from the department’s website since they are no longer available through Australia Post.