The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) has selected Poulsbo-based Paladin Data Systems’ EKO-System to assist the organization with its ongoing research into decreasing oxygen levels in the Hood Canal.

“We needed a tool to help us manage the large amount of data we are collecting for this research,” said Neil Werner at Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group. “After comparing EKO to other systems and getting an in depth look at the system we knew it was what we needed. Its scalability will allow us to store all the research in one location and make it easier for us to conduct analysis and generate reports.”

EKO-System is a Web-based, integrated project management, database, and reporting system designed by Paladin specifically for natural resource managers. Funds for the EKO-System implementation at the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group were obtained from the Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program and the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center. The organization will begin using EKO-System in Spring 2005.

The HCSEG was established in 1990 and is a public, non-profit corporation. It is a volunteer organization with the mission “To perpetuate and enhance the genetic diversity and stocks of Wild Salmon in Hood Canal through the protection and restoration of salmon habitat, stewardship and research for watershed and marine ecosystems, community education and outreach, and any other means appropriate.”

For more information about the group or the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, call 360-275-3575, or visit www.hcseg.com or www.pnwsalmoncenter.org.