Marron tagging by DPIRD researchers. Photo: DPIRD.
This year’s marron season opened on Wednesday, and almost 10,000 licenced fishers are expected to flock to South West rivers and dams to catch the freshwater crayfish.
A DPIRD spokesperson said for many, it was an annual pilgrimage with family and friends.
“Like other freshwater fishing, the four-week marron season helps boost the South West economy and is tightly managed to ensure this highly valued fishery remains sustainable,” he said.
“DPIRD researchers have been surveying and tagging marron throughout the South West to better understand their biology and the size of populations in different dams and river systems.”
DPIRD Fisheries Management officer Aaron Moses encouraged fishers to report any tagged marron they caught this season.
“This research is a joint effort between our scientists and the public, who are able to contribute by reporting catches of tagged marron,” Mr Moses said.
“Fishers can record when and where the marron was caught and the tag number, as well as taking a photo, and send the details to research.survey@dpird.wa.gov.au or call 9203 0111.
“Legal-sized tagged marron can still be kept as part of a licensed fisher’s daily bag limit of five marron in Trophy waters and eight marron in all other marron waters.
“For WA’s recreational fishers, it’s great to have a chance to catch marron in the wild, along tree-lined rivers, or from popular irrigation dams.”
Mr Moses said almost 10,000 licences had been issued so far ahead of the 2025 marron season.
DPIRD Education officers will be out and about at key locations as the season opens to help fishers with information and fisheries compliance officers will be checking marron catches are within the rules available in the Marron Recreational fishing guide 2025.
People who suspect any illegal fishing activity are asked to call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 to make a report.
