Recreational marron fishers are expected to be out in force for the Australia Day long weekend, with the 2008 Marron Season due to commence at Noon today.

Thousands of Western Australian fishers are expected to take advantage of the 23-day season (between Noon Friday 25 January and Noon Sunday 17 February) to enjoy the experience and the chance to take home some tasty freshwater crayfish, which are unique to Western Australia.

Department of Fisheries Principal Management Officer Nathan Harrison said some rule changes were made before last season and it would be wise for fishers to make sure they had the latest information.

“A detailed brochure Fishing for Marron can be downloaded from www.fish.wa.gov.au and it contains the rules and information that fishers need to know, before heading out to their favourite marron fishing spot,” Mr Harrison said.

“Fishers must have an up-to-date marron licence and they can be purchased online from the Department of Fisheries website.

“Last season, the minimum legal size limit for marron taken from ‘general waters’ was lifted to 80mm, to help provide increased protection for the breeding stock. In ‘trophy waters’ the minimum size is 90mm.

“Another key change last year was the possession limit of 20 marron that applies to all areas outside of a person's permanent place of residence - with the exception of 'trophy waters', where a separate daily bag and possession limit of five marron applies.

“Bag limits apply midday to midday and licensed fishers can each take 10 marron per day, from ‘general waters’.”

Mr Harrison said there was no commercial fishing in WA’s wild stock marron fishery, therefore all recreational fishers should understand that they play a key role in the sustainability of the fishery by not taking undersize marron or more marron than the limits allowed.

“Because marron fishers may be camping-out or driving and walking through bush areas we also remind them to abide by fire bans and to help prevent the risk of creating bush fires by being responsible and cleaning up campsites before leaving,” he said.