Each season’s start date relates to the moon phase providing the best opportunity to catch marron.

For 2008, it runs from noon Friday, January 25 to noon Sunday, February 17.

As with last season, there will be 23 days for recreational fishers to pursue marron.

A new brochure for the season is available from Fisheries Department offices or can be downloaded at www.fish.wa.gov.au

The brochure describes the legal fishing gear, how to measure marron properly and where you can and can’t go marroning, plus other rules and limits.

Southern Region compliance manager Peter Godfrey said from now until the season is under way, Fisheries and Marine officers and other Government agencies will watch for people who jump the gun.

“In recent years, there have been several prosecutions of marron fishers, who were caught fishing out of season, so we play close attention to this possibility,” Mr Godfrey said.

“The rules for wild-catch marron fishing are required to keep natural stocks sustainable, so the opportunity to go fishing for the popular species is still there in the future.”

In the lead up to the 2008 season, Fisheries education officers will hold information sessions.

“These sessions are conducted in collaboration with Department of Environment and Conservation Officers and are highly valuable for anyone who enjoys the fun of fishing for marron along our South West rivers or at the accessible public dams,” Mr Godrey said.

For the Blackwood River, they will be from 2pm to 3pm on Tuesday, January 22 at the Warner Glen Campsite, and for Margaret River, from 4pm to 5pm on Tuesday, January 22 at Sue’s Bridge Campsite, and from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, January 23 at Rotary Park.