RFID: Reliable identification for salmon trace-back. NASCO Marking Workshop December 6-8, 2004 by Douglas McCartney Identify UK Limited

Overview Introductions Traditional approaches to salmon ID Why use implantable RFID? What is electronic identification and how does it work? How is the transponder applied? Criteria for selecting a microchip system

About Trovan, Ltd. Privately held and funded UK corporation. Technology leader since year track record of service and reliability. On-going product research and development program. Comprehensive technology and patent portfolio. Specialist in aquaculture applications.

Experience Product in over 40 nations and on 7 continents. Millions of salmon, tilapia, trout and arowana identified. Customers include leading commercial operators and government agencies in Europe, South America, Asia, Australasia, and North America.

Traditional approaches to fish ID Coded wire tags Fin clipping Chemical markers

Why use implantable RFID? Non-contact, non-line of sight. Code can be read through animal tissue, in cloudy or turgid water, irrespective of orientation. Reliable. Over fifteen years continuous use in salmon fisheries. Unlimited tag lifespan. Code does not degrade over time. Permanent, non-removable ID. Implanted RFID does not impact fish mobility or alter fish behaviour. Automated data capture: Eliminates transcription errors.

How RFID works

Transponders

Transponder IC

Portable reader

Swim-by panel reader

RFID in action

How is the transponder applied? Implantation Take fish off their feed 48 hours prior to tagging. Sterilize transponders in medical grade alcohol. Using scalpel or similar device, nick body wall just off mid-ventral line, behind pectoral fin. Insert tag with finger.

Implanting

Criteria for selecting an implantable RFID system Can I read the tag? (1) Reading range >20 cm for portable reader; Swim-by panel readers. (2) Read area (the larger the better) (3) Read speed. Automation of operations. Data integrity Unique numbers to guarantee positive identification. Quality and product reliability (1) Microchip design reliability: minimizing the number of components. (2) Manufactured to ISO 9001 standard.

TROVAN system advantages--all tags are not created equal. Performance (1) Reading range >24 cm for portable reader. (2) Swim-by and pass-by panel readers. (3) Top read speed. Dedicated readers designed for fisheries applications. Over 550 billion unique ID numbers through patent protection. Quality and product reliability (1) Microchip design reliability: minimizing the number of components. (2) Manufactured to ISO 9001 standard.