Abstract

A recreational fishery for the West Australian marron (Cherax tenuimanus) exists in the south-west of the State, from Geraldton through to Esperance. From the early 1950s, the marron fishery has been only for recreational fishers (i.e. no commercial fishing permitted), and is a fishing experience unique to Western Australia. At present, fishing for marron is one of the great past-times for many West Australians and approximately 22,000 fishers were licensed for the 2000 season. The history of this recreational fishery has evolved with the growth and development of the south-west of Western Australia. Since colonisation, positive and negative changes to marron distribution and abundance have occurred. Increasing human population, changes in water quality, landuse and surface-water management, salinisation, introduced species and recreational fishing pressure have all impacted on marron stocks and the quality of the recreational fishery, reducing catches. This paper briefly outlines the history of the recreational marron fishery, focussing on recreational catch and effort data and the evolution of management. A brief review of the current threats to the quality of this unique recreational fishery are presented, highlighting the effect of loss of habitat and range. Management options to ensure the sustainability of the West Australian recreational marron fishery into the future are presented along with missing information vital to management.

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