Many of the PIT-tagged fish in the Columbia Basin belong to stocks listed as "Threatened" or "Endangered" under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The separation and/or collection
of these fish at COE fish facilities may constitute a "take" as defined by the ESA, and require a
permit or other authorization (e.g., Section 7 consultation) to do so. Even if the fish
of interest are not part of any listed stocks, SbyC diversions may include incidental, non-target,
animals, tagged or otherwise, that are listed. There is no blanket permit for SbyC
activities at COE facilities, and the researcher is responsible for determining if his or her
actions require a permit, or are covered by an existing permit issued to his or her agency. Researchers whose SbyC activities are not covered by an existing ESA permit or other authorization should contact the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Region ESA Section 10 Permit Coordinator no less than six months prior to the planned implementation of the study, in order to secure a permit prior to the onset of field activities. Researchers are cautioned that permits and consultations
can take six to nine months to process. Please plan ahead.
Contact:
Blane Bellerud
NOAA Fisheries, Portland
(503) 231-2238
Blane.Bellerud@noaa.gov