Big penalties delivered to out of season WA marron fishers

The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) reminds fishers to not take marron out of season after two men received fines totalling more than $13,000 in a Collie Court earlier this month.

A 22-year-old man from Butler was ordered to pay $7,000.50 and a 39-year-old Narrogin man $6,500.50 for their involvement in marron fishing offences committed at Harris Dam in December 2023.

The two men were fishing out of marron season, in a dam in the Collie River Valley, which is a public drinking water source area that is off limits to marron fishing all year round. Public water supply dams managed by the Water Corporation are generally closed to fishing.

DPIRD fisheries officers located 110 live marron in the men’s vehicle as it was leaving the dam. All of the marron were returned to the dam alive.

The 22-year-old man was also ordered to forfeit three fish landing nets that were used to catch the marron. The nets are not permitted to be used for catching marron under the Fish Resources Management Regulations.

Director Regional Compliance South Noel Chambers said this outcome, with the big fines, should provide a strong reminder that out of season fishing and fishing in closed waters were never acceptable.

"In sensitive areas, such as public drinking water dams, fishers need to be well aware of the rules or risk losing their fishing privileges," Mr Chambers said. "We need to monitor marron fishing all year round, not just during marron season.

"Marroning is not allowed at protected public drinking water source areas at any time of year, even with a marron licence."

Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity should call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or report the matter via the online form on Crimestoppers.