AutoFish SCT6 Trailer

The Northwest Marine Technology AutoFish SCT6 trailer was at Winthrop Hatchery for 2 weeks to tag (http://www.nmt.us/products/cwt/cwt.shtml) and clip the adipose fin of young Chinook salmon.  Clipping the fin allows a fisherman to easily distinguish a hatchery fish from a wild fish. "The AutoFish System (http://www.nmt.us/products/afs/afs.shtml) was developed as an alternative to manual clipping and tagging to help government agencies meet their ambitious marking and tagging goals. The AutoFish SCT6 (sort, clip, tag, six processing lines) is a self-contained mobile unit that has one dual exit sorter and six individual processing lines. This complete system can sort, clip, and tag salmonids from 57 mm (2.2 in) to 142 mm (5.6 in) without the use of anesthetic and with no human handling". (quote from website)

SCT6 Trailer is a 44 foot long aluminum 5th wheel trailer that costs $1,345,000.

 

Inside of trailer

Sorter

 

Tags and Clips

 

A picture is taken of the fish after it goes through the machine.  If a problem with the clip or tag is identified, the fish is rejected to an individual who will clip and tag the fish manually.

Various computer screens to monitor the technology