Barren year for marron on the south coast after dry 2020

Albany’s marron season is under way, but it is set to be a particularly difficult one for keen marroners thanks to a dry 2020.

Albany’s Russell Adams, the regional compliance manager at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said low rainfall had led to reduced run-off into dams and rivers in the South West.

“Our compliance officers speaking with fishers during the first week have heard from quite a few people that catches are generally lower this year in the Albany region,” he said.

“And some of the key marron fishing dams are at only 50 per cent capacity.”

According to Mr Adams, popular marron spots in and around Albany included the upper reaches of the Kalgan River, the Elleker Grassmere drain system, and the Marbellup Creek.

A little further afield, the upper reaches of the Hay River, Kent River, Bow River and Denmark River can be good hunting grounds.

Some Albany locals travel towards Walpole to fish in the Franklin and Deep rivers every marron season.

Mr Adams urged all fishers to abide by the rules, which he said were especially important in a low-rainfall year.

Inland fisheries compliance officers from DPIRD have been targeting those fishing out of season, and will be on patrol throughout the region.

Last month, a Boddington man was ordered to pay fines, penalties and costs amounting to more than $8000 for catching 66 marron out of season.

WA’s four-week marron season runs from January 8 until February 5.