Publication Date

1-2002

Series Number

137

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

0 7309 8469 9

ISSN

1035 - 4549

Abstract

This report presents the data from the 2000 season and compares the results with previous records. Although the 2000 marron season was relatively successful compared to the 1999 season it was still modest in terms of the historical records. Further, the recreational marron fishery continues to be declining in terms of catch rate, CPUE and other indicators derived from four data sources. The discussion highlights the variable nature of marron populations and the possible causes of the very different population structures of marron within the fishery. Further, possible reasons for the long-term decline of the marron fishery are discussed. It is unlikely that the recreational marron fishery will recover to historical levels of catch and CPUE and the quality of the fishery is likely to decline further without management intervention. Options for maintaining and/or enhancing the marron fishery, and future management options are discussed along with possible outcomes. Regardless, it is imperative that the Department of Fisheries responds rapidly to address the declining quality of this socially and economically important recreational marron fishery.

Number of Pages

48

Keywords

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Cherax cainii, recreational fishing, Waroona Dam, Harvey Weir, Wellington Dam

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Policy | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Population Biology | Sustainability

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