DataTackle: A Field-to-Cloud Approach for Fish Monitoring Programs

Project Background

FlowWest has been contracted to support the California Central Valley spring run chinook juvenile production estimate (SR JPE) project, a collaborative multi-federal and state agency effort to estimate the number of juvenile spring run Chinook entering the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta.  As part of our work on this project, FlowWest developed DataTackle, as the data management aspect of the overall JPE program. The most important requirements for a data management platform that could sufficiently support the JPE program data needs was high quality data available in near real-time for use in open and transparent models and instantaneous compatibility and standardization across programs and agencies.

Field-to-Cloud

DataTackle is a tablet application utilized by fish monitoring programs to collect and enter biological and environmental data directly while in the field. DataTackle saves time by eliminating the need for paper data sheets and data entry, improves data quality through data validation and standard QC, and streamlines data access by ensuring data are interoperable. DataTackle works offline in the field and then pushes the data into a centralized, standardized database when reconnected to the network. The data stored in the centralized database can then be used to feed into the SR JPE model, as well as automatically published to public data repositories and reports.

In an effort to support and promote open data and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data principles, DataTackle is completely open-source and solely utilizes open-source software.

Features

• Data collection functionality and system wide integration of biological and environmental data, efficiency trials, genetic sampling, mark recaptures, permit measurement and take requirements, and more.
• Form field and section validation with accepted threshold requirements.
• Data QA/QC page for reviewing, correcting, and approving entered data prior to publishing.
• Offline-first functionality
• Automated reporting and data publication
• Program configuration based on data collection, permit, reporting requirements, which are integrated within the data collection functionality to prompt and alert users of permitted and prohibited actions.

Expanding DataTackle beyond the SR JPE

While the original intent and functionality of DataTackle began as a direct solution for fish monitoring programs utilizing Rotary Screw Traps (RST) to collect data that would be used in the SR JPE, the framework and adaptability of the system supports expansion of the application beyond the SR JPE as well as for other equipment types. The form fields and application functionality is dynamic and tailored based on the the requirements of programs and data collection workflows.