Activity:
This is a project for the Administration and System Operation of the Columbia River Basin PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS). A comprehensive overview of the project is described online at http://www.ptagis.org/learn.

Agency:
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC).

Goal:
The goal of this project is to operate and maintain the Columbia River Basin-wide database for PIT Tagged fish and to operate and maintain the established interrogation systems. The data collected by this system is accessible to the general public from the PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS) web portal. The measurable goal for the system is to collect 100% valid data and provide that data in 'near-real' time with downtime of any system component of not more than one percent as measured during the period of peak out-migration.

Background:
In 1984, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) entered into an agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to research and develop a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag for use in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) Fish and Wildlife Program (FWP). The PIT tag system enables large amounts of data to be produced using relatively few tags, compared to traditional tagging and marking systems. In 1988 and 1989, NMFS contracted with PSMFC to develop and operate a prototype database system to help NMFS meet, in a timely manner, its contractual and verbal agreements involving PIT tag data. The database was designed to meet immediate needs as well as provide a framework for a formalized database system for the Columbia River Basin PIT tag program. In April 1989, NMFS announced its intention to phase out of the operation, maintenance and management of the PIT tag systems in the Columbia River Basin. Subsequently, BPA contracted with PSMFC because it was the only agency experienced in data management with no vested interest in the interpretation of data generated from PIT tags, while being independent of water or fish and wildlife management responsibilities.

The actions that PSMFC was directed to implement under the PTAGIS contract include:
1. Management of a long term Columbia River Basin-wide database system accessible to all entities;
2. Maintenance and documentation of fish tagging and interrogation software;
3. Operation and maintenance of equipment at the remote sites;
4. Provision of technical support for the software and hardware;
5. Provision of training to users; and
6. Distribution of PIT tags and associated equipment.

Locations:
The PSMFC office in Portland, OR houses the PTAGIS systems utilizing PSMFC data facilities.

The field office in Kennewick, WA is primarily responsible for operations and equipment maintenance of 30 key PIT Tag interrogation sites comprising of 459 antennas. There are 292 registered interrogation sites operated by 24 agencies actively contributing data to PTAGIS. A map of all of these sites can be found here: https://www.ptagis.org/sites/map-of-interrogation-sites. Metadata is available here: https://www.ptagis.org/sites/interrogation-site-metadata.