SbyC Overview

• Program Overview

   

  The PIT tag Separation by Code (SbyC) process allows researchers to target individual tagged fish and separate them from the general population as they move through juvenile and adult fish passage facilities that are equipped with PIT tag actuated gates.
  
  By default, all PIT-tagged fish are returned to the river at each of the juvenile fish bypass sites unless a researcher requests a different disposition for a particular group of fish. Target fish can be collected in a holding tank for hands-on sampling, or the default gate actions can be over-ridden so that they follow the same route as the untagged population of fish.
  
  SbyC actions can be applied to an entire population of tagged fish, a proportion of that population, or a predefined number of individuals. Both daily and seasonal collection quotas can be set to limit the number of fish sampled. Each SbyC action can be scheduled for a specified number of hours or days, or a specified pattern of days. Multiple populations can be identified and segregated at a given site, with unique SbyC actions assigned to each group at that site. 

  Please refer to the descriptions and diagrams for details regarding the PIT tag Separation by Code capabilities at the various juvenile and adult passage facilities.

• Coordination

  Before a Separation by Code project can be implemented by PTAGIS, the researcher must coordinate with the applicable agency contacts. The coordination necessary will vary from project to project and facility to facility. If the project involves only routing PIT-tagged fish toward collection for transportation, minimal coordination is necessary. If the project involves diverting fish into holding tanks, much more coordination is necessary. For personnel and contact details see the Program and Project contact pages.

  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  The researcher must notify the appropriate Walla Walla or Portland district biologist, as well as, the site biologist where the project will be implemented. If the SbyC project requires access to juvenile or adult facilities, you will need to contact both the district and site biologists at least 30 days prior to the planned start of the project.

  Smolt Monitoring Program

  If the SbyC project requires physical access to a juvenile fish monitoring facility, the researcher must contact the state-contracted Smolt Monitoring Program leader for that facility at least 30 days prior to the planned start of the project.

  NOAA Fisheries

  The researcher is responsible for determining if the SbyC project requires an Endangered Species Act permit. There is not a blanket permit for SbyC activities at USACE facilities. In addition to ESA Section 7 consultation, if the project will target adult fish at the Lower Granite Dam, you will need to contact the NOAA fisheries biologist in charge of operating the adult fish trap.

  Fish Passage Advisory Committee (FPAC)

  All fish research and evaluation programs (including SbyC studies) with the potential to affect the disposition or condition of in-river migrant salmonids should be reviewed and approved by FPAC prior to implementation of those studies. In addition to ensuring that research activities don't conflict with Regional management objectives, this coordination step may identify potential conflicts in schedules or resources between researchers. Any SbyC project targeting adult fish at Bonneville Dam must also coordinate through FPAC.

  In the past, researchers needed to contact FPAC directly for this project review and approval. Beginning in the 2013 season an online SbyC request form will now automatically notify FPAC and allow them to review and approve projects online.

  PTAGIS

  The Columbia Basin PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS) administers Separation by Code and all projects must be coordinated with the PTAGIS SbyC Administrator. In the past, researchers contacted PTAGIS directly to coordinate details such as sampling schedule, PIT tag code lists, desired actions and project locations. Beginning in 2013, most of this coordination will be accomplished through an online form.

  Other PIT Tag Data Coordinators

  If the planned SbyC projects targets another researcher’s PIT-tagged fish, you must contact and obtain the permission of that researcher.

• Request an SbyC Project

  To request a new Separation by Code project, go to the Separation by Code request page under the Services menu. Click the Request new SbyC project button to get started on the process.

  You will need to complete the Project, Juvenile PIT Tag Information, or Adult PIT Tag Information (as applicable) and the SbyC Actions sections of the web form before submitting your project for review. You do not need to certify that all coordination has been completed or upload tag files at this stage of the process. When you submit your project request, both FPAC and PTAGIS will be notified automatically. 
  
  You will be notified when FPAC has reviewed your request. At that point the PTAGIS SbyC administrator will review the project to ensure all information necessary for implementation is included. Before the project can be implemented, you will need to certify that all coordination has been completed and you will need to upload at least one file of PIT tag codes.