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The Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game (ADF&G) is tasked with documenting water bodies that are important habitat for the “spawning, rearing, or migration of anadromous fish” in the Anadromous Waters Catalog and Atlas (AWC).
Streams & lakes specified in the AWC are afforded protections under the Anadromous Fish Act (AS 16.05.871). Despite ongoing efforts to add water bodies to the AWC, significant gaps in its coverage remain, particularly in remote and difficult to access regions of Alaska.A team of partners is now helping ADF&G with this effort. A grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allowed the Indigenous Sentinels Network (a program of the Tribal Government of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island) to team up with the Northern Latitudes Partnerships to expand coverage of the AWC.
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Now, you can join the effort to fill in those gaps by helping to map where these fish exist in Alaska. Through a new, easy-to-use smartphone app, you can submit observations while you’re out on the land. All you need to do is find some fish, fill out a few simple data fields, collect photos, and hit submit. Don’t have cell reception or wifi? No problem. You can save the data and upload it once you’re back in service.
We’re hoping to solve the challenge of uncatalogued fish habitat by learning from the people that know the land best: you. Whether you are subsistence or sportfishing, hunting, boating or otherwise just out on the land, your local knowledge about where fish are can be vital for ensuring those locations are added to the AWC and therefore is protected by state law..
Curious about what streams and rivers around your community are not currently in the catalog? Text "fish" to: 1-855-736-4949 to get a satellite picture of the current AWC distribution in your area.
Here’s the kicker: we want to compensate you for your time and help in collecting this important information. Submit an observation that the ADF&G approves as new data, and our partners at the Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) will send you money to reward your efforts. Currently we are offering $100 for new successful nominations that help add new miles of stream to the AWC.
Working with ADF&G we have created a few short instructional videos to help ensure that the way you are collecting data will result in a successful nomination to the AWC.
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The Alaska Anadromous Waters Catalog is a vital resource for safeguarding fish habitat in the state. This catalog meticulously identifies streams, rivers, and lakes crucial for the lifecycle of anadromous fishes, such as salmon. These water bodies provide essential spawning, rearing, and feeding grounds for these migratory fish, playing a pivotal role in maintaining healthy fish populations. By designating and protecting these areas, the catalog contributes to the conservation and sustainability of Alaska's rich aquatic ecosystems. It serves as a valuable tool for resource managers, scientists, and policymakers to make informed decisions for the preservation of anadromous fish habitats in the diverse landscapes of Alaska.
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Use the buttons to download the ISN AWC App for your device.
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