The Western Australian Marron fishery is currently characterised by a short season (4 weeks) confined to rivers and dams (irrigation). The natural habitat of marron is facing increased and cumulative environmental and anthropogenic stressors such as reduced river flows, increasing salinity and loss of key riverbank vegetation.

Measures such as bag/size limits, gear restrictions, licensing and season openings are traditional management tools used to maintain historical levels of sustainability. However major environmental change is predicted to be the main impact on this fishery in the near future and without a solid understanding of the experience desired by recreational fishers, future management options are limited. Maintaining high quality fishing experiences, and all associated values, into the future will require more adaptive type management regime that includes new fishery developments and the improved integration of environmental, social and economic considerations.

This project will see the creation of a blueprint for long-term management of the fishery which will assist fisheries managers, and fishers themselves, in ensuring ongoing viable marron fishing in WA.