Marron stocking in the State’s South-West will take another leap forward with plans to boost the population in Harvey Dam – Western Australia’s premier recreational marron fishery.
Over the past two years 300,000 juvenile marron have been released in Waroona and Logue Brook dams as part of a Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund project.
Work is underway to stock Harvey Dam with 100,000 of the prized freshwater crayfish.
The $140,000 project, which is funded through the Recreational Fishing COVID Response Project, is one of several aimed at improving recreational fishing experiences – particularly in the regions.
Breeding from the animals captured at Harvey Dam has already begun, with restocking expected to start as early as June next year.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with a contractor to help map out a successful way forward for the project, which is also supported by Recfishwest.
Harvey Dam provides ideal conditions for marron because of its permanent water, suitable habitat and food. Wild marron usually spawn in early spring and when conditions are ideal, female marron can produce 200 to 400 eggs.
Marron is also a species which suits aquaculture production, and now that broodstock have been sourced from Harvey Dam, they will produce even more juveniles to further enhance the dam’s marron stock.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
“Freshwater fishing is enormously popular in Western Australia and last season more than 10,000 people were licensed to take part in the 2022 marron season.
“The marron season is limited to a four week period between 8 January and 5 February every year to manage the resource, and one of the very popular locations for fishers is Harvey Dam.
“Stock enhancements will be important in developing sustainable marron fishing experiences into the future. Marron are endemic to South-West WA and fishing for them has long been a tradition for recreational fishers, who enjoy the challenge this freshwater crayfish provides.”
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke
“The Murray-Wellington community loves their freshwater fishing, we have an abundance of locations to catch bream, trout and marron within the electorate and the Peel-Harvey Catchment.
“This announcement about stock enhancement of marron at the Harvey Dam will be well received within the community, and will mean there will be plenty of marron for everyone to enjoy in the future.”
