AutoFish System is a self-contained mobile unit that uses advanced technology to rapidly sort within 1 mm accuracy, clip adipose fins (marks), and inject Coded Wire Tags in snouts (tagging) of salmonids from 57 mm to 142 mm.
Mass marking and tagging Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout and other salmonids reared at enhancement hatcheries is an important tool for managing hatcheries in a sustainable manner. To meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, federal and state mandates, recommendations from independent scientists, and the Hatchery Genetic Management Plans, hatchery fish must have a visible mark or tag that can be used to distinguish them from naturally produced fish. In many programs, excising the adipose fin has been selected as the visible mark.
AutoFish System is a cost effective way to handle juvenile salmon rapidly without the use of anesthetic or human contact. It was developed as an alternative to manual clipping and tagging to help government agencies implement their ambitious marking and tagging programs for salmonids (read more about Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game’s program and this update about their program).
See AutoFish in action:
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) uses AutoFish for tagging millions of hatchery salmonids
Watch a video showing how the US Fish and Wildlife Service uses AutoFish System in Washington State
See how the US Fish and Wildlife Service uses AutoFish in the Great Lakes Region
Please contact NMT for more information.