PROJECT GOAL:  Apply coded-wire tags to production releases of coho and chinook salmon at ODFW Columbia Basin hatcheries for stock assessment of hatchery and wild salmon populations.  

BACKGROUND:  This project is a component of the evolving comprehensive monitoring and evaluation program for stock assessment of hatchery and wild salmon production, not only within the Columbia Basin but for the entire region.  Specifically, the goal of this project, in conjunction with other Columbia Basin marking programs, is to tag a statistically valid number of coho and chinook salmon from each hatchery such that accurate estimates of survival and distribution in the ocean, in freshwater fisheries, and escapement areas can be made.  This project and complementary BPA projects with USFWS and WDFW began in 1989 and have been in operation since.  The project uses coded-wire tag technology, which is one of three basic types of marking used to identify salmon adults and juveniles.  The three marking types (mass marking, coded-wire tagging, and PIT tagging) are complementary, serve different roles, and none can reasonably be expected to replace one or both of the others.  The expected outcome of the CWT program is to provide a long and consistent time series of survival and distribution data that can be used to measure trends in abundance of selected hatchery stocks.  Therefore, the program is primarily interested in and responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the data and information that is generated and stored in its databases.  The program is also responsible for ensuring that the data and information in the databases are open to all who may wish to use them.  The CWT program is defined by the quality, integrity, reliability, and the statistical robustness of the data and information it generates, stores, and makes available to users.  The CWT program is not responsible for the uses the data and information are put to.

LOCATION OF PROJECT:  Coded-wire tagging operations will be performed at hatcheries in Oregon.  In FY 2005 (Jan. 1 2005 through Dec. 31 2005) this will include; Big Creek, Bonneville, Cascade, Marion Forks, McKenzie, Oxbow, Sandy, South Fork Klaskanine, South Santiam, and Willamette Hatcheries.