The Indigenous Sentinel Network (ISN) Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC)
app is designed for community observers to record observations of
anadromous fish and stream passage information in a reliable and
consistent manner. The ISN AWS app is part of a collaboration between
the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADFG), the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Aleut Community of
St. Paul Island Tribal Government.

The ADFG Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing or
Migration of Anadromous Fishes and its associated Atlas currently lists
almost 20,000 streams, rivers or lakes around the state of Alaska which
have been specified as being important for the spawning, rearing or
migration of anadromous fish. However, it is believed that this number
represents a fraction of the streams, rivers, and lakes actually used by
anadromous species. Until these habitats are inventoried, they will not
be protected under Alaska State law. To be protected water bodies must
be documented as supporting some life function of an anadromous fish
species (salmon, trout, char, whitefish, sturgeon, etc.) Anadromous fish
must have been seen or collected and identified by a qualified observer.
Most nominations come from Department of Fish and Game fisheries
biologists. Others are received from private individuals, companies and
biologists from other state and federal agencies. Data documenting
anadromous fish species can be logged in the field regardless of
internet access through the ISN AWC smartphone app and then can be
uploaded to the ISN database when a Wi-Fi connection is available. Data
will then be forwarded to the ADFG for validation and use in the AWC
nomination process.

For information on participating in the ISN/AWC collaborative effort
please contact Aaron Poe at [email protected] or Lauren Divine
at [email protected].