Harvey Dam’s marron stocks promised to increase to 100,000 as part of freshwater stocking program

South West marron lovers have received some good news, with one local dam set for an increase in supply. The State Government has announced plans to increase the number of marron in Harvey Dam to 100,000 as part of broader efforts to increase stocks of the animal in local freshwater dams. A breeding program is under way with marron collected from the site, with hopes to start releasing the new stock into the dam from June 2023. Fisheries Minister Don Punch said fishing for the species was “enormously popular”. “Stock enhancements will be important in developing sustainable marron fishing experiences into the future,” he said. The species are endemic to the South West, with wild marron usually spawning in early spring. Female marron can produce up to 400 eggs in one season depending on conditions. The legal catching season for the freshwater crayfish lasts only one month and is held between January 8 and February 5 each year. The increase in marron stock is set to cost $140,000 and will be funded by the Recreational Fishing COVID Response Project. 300,000 juvenile marron have been released in Waroona and Logue Brook dams over the past two years as part of the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund project. The announcement comes as the State Government continues to face pressure over its proposal to ban the fishing of demersal species between Kalbarri and Augusta for nine months.