PIT Tag antenna systems and data analysis

Beginning in the 1990's recovery programs throughout the Colorado River Basin have relied on PIT-tagging (Passive Integrated Transponder) as a way to individually mark fish and allows researchers to track fish over time and eventually provide population estimates. These population estimates are critical to determining the effects of management actions and ultimately lead to decisions on whether the fish populations can recover and be delisted. The Goal of this project is to assist Reclamation in the continued technological development of fish-detection systems, specifically those related to PIT Tags and to assist in the analyses and storage of the data that is derived from these systems and how it relates to management of Reclamation facilities and waters. Specific objectives of this agreement are to: 1) Assist in the development of PIT tag antenna systems for the detection of fish and wildlife at Reclamation projects and in waters managed by Reclamation. 2) Assist in the installation, operation, management and maintenance of PIT tag antenna systems at Reclamation projects and in waters managed by Reclamation. 3) Assist in the development of models and programs that allow the analyses of data derived from Mark-Recapture studies and assist with interpreting the results of such analyses to improve management of Reclamation facilities and waters managed by Reclamation to comply with ESA species management plans and recovery plans. 4) Assist with the analyses of fisheries data related to survival, mortality, movements, and population abundance of endangered species as it pertains to Mark-Recapture and PIT Tags or other marking techniques. interpreting the results of such analyses to improve management of Reclamation facilities and waters managed by Reclamation to comply with ESA species management plans and recovery plans. 4) Assist with the analyses of fisheries data related to survival, mortality, movements, and population abundance of endangered species as it pertains to Mark-Recapture and PIT Tags or other marking techniques.