Comment:

The ISRP encourages this project, which uses coded wire tags (CWT), and the CSS project, which uses PIT-tags, to examine and explain the difference in SAR results (see Programmatic Comments).

1. Objectives, Significance to Regional Programs, and Technical Background

The overall objective is to design and analyze fish tagging studies using peer-reviewed statistical methods, so the best available information is obtained. The methodology will be shared with others involved with fish tagging through peer-reviewed publications, reports, workshops, and shared analysis software. The proposal provides details on the approach the proponents plan to use to improve the rigor, defensibility, and cost effectiveness of tagging studies.

The statistical services and products provided by this project make a major contribution to fish-tagging studies by state, federal, tribal, and academic entities throughout the region. The project has provided continuity of statistical support for both as-needed and anticipated needs to multiple parties in the region. The statistical software developed by project personnel is used throughout the region.

The project has direct significance to the 2014 Fish and Wildlife Program to use the best available science to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife populations in the Columbia Basin. The proposal also connects the project objectives to critical uncertainties identified in the 2017 Research Plan.

The proposal explains the technical background in adequate detail and makes the point that the need for this ongoing project continues because tag technologies evolve as RM&E needs change over time.

2. Results and Adaptive Management

The proposal gives a summary of results that the project provides in support of regional tagging studies such as development of tagging models for new and complex investigations, publications on the design and analysis of tagging studies, development of statistical software for designing and analyzing tagging studies, participation in regional workshops, and providing statistical consulting for the design, analysis, and interpretation of tagging studies.

Adaptive management is discussed in terms of how advances in knowledge, new tagging technologies, and BiOp standards require changes in the design and analysis of tagging studies.

3. Methods: Project Relationships, Work Types, and Deliverables

Methods used are appropriate and up-to-date. The project has resulted in several peer-reviewed papers published in appropriate journals. The project provides support for tagging studies in the Basin and uses PIT-tag and CWT data from other projects. The project uses project DART as a repository for software and assorted materials.

This project is 100% RM&E work type.

Deliverables are clearly identified in the proposal as developing methods for the design and analysis of tagging studies, developing and maintaining statistical software for tagging studies, providing statistical consulting on the design and analysis of tagging studies, and providing BPA with technical assistance and peer review of tagging proposals and reports.

The ISRP appreciates the fact that in response to previous ISRP recommendations, project staff now keep ledgers and report time spent on consulting activities. In addition, surveys have been added to websites that allow user feedback, course evaluation forms are used for classes on software use, and records of unsolicited comments, acknowledgments, and suggestions are maintained.

The statistical services and products provided by this project make a major contribution to fish-tagging studies by state, federal, tribal, and academic entities throughout the region. The project has provided continuity of statistical support for both as-needed and anticipated needs to multiple parties in the region. The statistical software developed by project personnel is used throughout the region. The proposal identifies project support for four management questions posed by the Council in the MERR plan. The proposal provides good detail on the technical background and objectives. Results are quantifiable through the impressive number of peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, theses completed, and software programs developed. However, some claims are made in the proposal without sufficient information for evaluation, such as, claiming that the approach used has proven to be the best way without providing documentation, or stating that particular software developed through the program is being used by numerous investigators and agencies without providing a real sense of amount of use or user satisfaction. Methods to evaluate client satisfaction such as summarizing course evaluations, Wiki use levels, timeliness of response to queries and requests for assistance should be identified during contracting.

We appreciate that the BiOp RM&E workgroup concurred with us on 19 RPA associations for this project.  We agree with their proposed deletion of two RPA associations, RPAs 50.4 and 71.2.  However, we would like to provide additional support for our continued association with RPA 71.3. 

• RPA 71.3, Supporting the standardization and coordination of tagging and monitoring effects through participation and leadership in regional coordination forums such as PNAMP.

It is our goal to raise the quantitative rigor of tagging studies in the FWP.  One of the ways in which we do this is by participating in the regional coordination forums such as the RM&E Hydro workgroup, the regional PIT-tag planning workgroup, and PNAMP. 

This project participated in 2010 in the collaborative effort to produce Chapter 3, Guidelines for Conducting Smolt Survival Studies in the Columbia River, in PNAMP’s Tagging, Telemetry, and Marking Measures for Monitoring Fish Populations Compendium (TTM).  This project also assisted in PNAMP website development efforts and participated in the Data Sharing Workshop to Support Coordinate Assessments on 10/5/2010. This project will continue to promote and participate in efforts to standardize and improve existing tagging studies.