Welcome to the Register of Salmo PIT Tagging Activity

Fisheries research organisations routinely use PIT tags on salmon and trout. PIT tags are also used at sea as a way of estimating stock dynamics of pelagic fish species (e.g., herring and mackerel). This process involves PIT tag detectors being operated at several fish processing plants.


To take full advantage of the increasing use of this technology, an international database of PIT tags used in salmon and trout management activities has been created. When linked to the collation of tag returns from multiple sources this could provide important new information on the spatial distribution of salmon and trout at sea.


This web application allows you to add your own PIT tag deployment records to the database, and also search for unidentified tags that you have detected.


PIT Tag Deployment and Detector Location Map

This map will be regularly updated with new information on tag deployment and detections as this becomes available. It will provide a high level visualisation of recorded activity.

Red circles = Salmon and sea trout PIT tag deployment activity
Blue squares = Pelagic fish processing plants with PIT tag detectors (ICES Statistical Squares from Norwegian Marine Data Centre)

Step 1 - Terms and Assurances

By uploading a completed template you agree to the following:

  1. You have the appropriate authority to submit the tag data
  2. The data remains the property of the owner defined in the upload and may be removed on their request
  3. Only tag ID's will be publicly discoverable via the search function
  4. The database manager will contact the owner in the event of a detection of one of their tags

Step 2 - View Template Information - Fill out a Template

Download a blank template file to Cut and Paste your tag information into, alternatively use the template builder in the Extras/Tools tab. Use the upload area below to add to the DB.

Download Template

Step 3 - Upload completed template

Step 4 - Template Upload Report

Note: ISO11784/5 Tag ID Codes are translated into 4 formats, you may see these alternative formats alongside your original uploaded codes

Search and Compare unidentified tags against the database


Enter tag ID's and get a report on any that exist in the database. No data is saved in this area , however you have the opportunity to submit any matching tags as a detection and open a dialogue with the original deployer.

Matching Tag ID Report

Quickly examine your tag ID's and report on anomalies!

Within this area you can insert your tag ID's and get a quick report on their format and any likely anomalies. No data is saved in this area , however you have the opportunity to add details and download the tags as a formatted template for uploading to this database should you wish.

Once the report is complete you will see in the tables on the right a summary of detected formats and duplicates , along with a full list of checked ID's and their detected formats for closer inspection.

If very few of the ID's are unknown it is likely that they are simply transcription errors. If there are a large number of unknowns then it suggests that the format in use is not handled by the detection algorithm. If this is the case, we would be grateful if you could pass on a sample of these ID codes to us so that we may introduce more formats to the ISO11784Tools R package.

Format Testing Summary

Duplicate Report

Create a template for upload to the PIT tag DB (see preview below)

Required/Recommended Fields

Optional Fields

Download Complete Template

Format Testing Full Results

Completed Template Preview