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EVERETT, Wash. — Researchers announced that they have found a way to raise fish that carry distinctive "bar code" patterns in the bones of their ears, providing an identification system for a fish's entire life span.

Intermec Corp., a unit of Litton Co. that manufactures bar code hardware, software and other automated data collection systems, developed the technique with the Washington State Department of Fisheries to track fish.

By varying the temperature of the hatchery pond in which fish embryos are incubated, researchers can create growth rings of varying thickness in bones, called otoliths, found in the ears of fish, said an Intermec spokeswoman.