This contract provides funding to maintain the Coded Wire Tag (CWT) database, which is referred to as the Regional Mark Information System (RMIS).

The Coded Wire Tag Database Project is an on-going data storage and access program conducted by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) that supports a coast-wide stock identification system for coded-wire tagged salmonid fish.  The PSMFC’s Regional Mark Processing Center (RMPC) maintains this database, called the ‘Regional Mark Information System’ (RMIS).  Within the Columbia Basin, the CWT is used extensively for identification of hatchery and wild anadromous salmonid stocks.  In particular, the tag recovery data are used to monitor the status of both threatened and endangered stocks.  In addition, the recovery data are used to assess a wide variety of studies designed to improve survival of hatchery-produced salmonids.  CWT recovery information also provides critical data for evaluating hatchery rearing programs and natural stock rebuilding programs sponsored by NPCC's Fish and Wildlife Program.  This contract provides about 37% of the funding to maintain the RMIS database.  

Fisheries agencies carry out a coordinated sampling effort to collect CWTs from mature salmon and steelhead, which return to fishery (sport, tribal and commercial) and escapement areas (natural spawning grounds, hatcheries, and Bonneville Dam fish-ways) throughout the Columbia River Basin.  Sampled heads of tagged fish are transported to tag recovery labs where the CWTs are recovered and decoded.  The CWT recovery and catch/sample information is then forwarded to PSMFC's Regional Mark Processing Center where it is validated and made available to users via the on-line Regional Mark Information System.

Agencies, including BPA, use CWT data to determine survival of different hatchery operations and the effectiveness of the hatchery mitigation programs they fund.  Others use CWT data to estimate the rates of escapement into the wild of a population of hatchery fish.  Others use CWT data to determine the effectiveness of specific hatchery or other management actions.  The harvest management agencies combine CWT data with other data and information to estimate the effects of harvest regulations on populations of salmon and steelhead.

This CWT marking and recovery program is consistent with the Fish and Wildlife Program goals for monitoring and evaluation.  In addition to monitoring the status of both threatened and endangered stocks, CWT recovery data are used to assess a wide variety of studies designed to improve survival of hatchery-produced salmonids.  

Regional Mark Processing Center's Role in Data Management:

Once the CWTs are decoded and processed by agency tag recovery labs, the recovery and associated catch/sample data are reported to PSMFC's Regional Mark Processing Center.  The data are then subjected to a battery of error checks.  Upon validation, the recoveries are combined with the coast-wide recoveries reported by other agencies.  Data users may then query the on-line ‘Regional Mark Information System' (RMIS) to obtain tag recovery data (reports or raw records) for research, harvest management, and program monitoring and evaluation analysis applications.

RMIS provides on-line access to all coast-wide CWT data, including that for the Columbia Basin tagging studies.  Data sets include: 1) Release; 2) Recoveries; 3) Catch/Sample; 4) Location codes and 5) Data Descriptions.  The Mark Center also serves as the site for exchanging U.S. CWT data with Canada for Pacific Salmon Treaty purposes.  The CWT data can be accessed on PSMFC's computer via the following methods:

WWW: http://www.rmpc.org
FTP: ftp.rmpc.org

Given the far ranging migratory behavior of salmon and steelhead trout, the benefits of PSMFC's central data repository for coast-wide CWT release, recovery, and associated catch/sample data are self-evident.  Prior to the establishment of the RMPC, fisheries managers and researchers had to individually contact all agencies to gather tag recovery data.

The establishment of the RMPC's on-line "Regional Mark Information System" (RMIS) has also greatly enhanced timely access to CWT release and recovery data.  Data users can now specify either tag codes or specific location areas and download either standard recovery reports or individual data records in either "raw" or aggregated forms.  

The RMPC also provides an essential focal point for the coast-wide coordination of the usage of CWTs and other fin marks.  Regional agreements on marking and tagging are reached through consensus of the "Mark Committee" during the annual "Mark Meeting" each April.

The Regional Mark Processing Center's operations are consistent with purposes of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act as the regional CWT database is supported by all marking agencies.  The cooperative reporting of CWT release and recovery data by all involved agencies, in turn, provides universal access to the data for all agencies.

The role of the Regional Mark Processing Center is unique on the west coast.  The regional CWT database is not duplicated in function or in its entirety by other agencies.  As such, the operations of the RMPC are not in duplication of other projects funded by anadromous resources such as the Pacific Salmon Treaty, Mitchell Act (NOAA