Anadromous Waters Cataloging and Fish Inventories in subbasins of the Copper and Bering rivers 2023 and 2024

During the summer of 2023-2024, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, staff will conduct a rapid, systematic inventory of anadromous fish distribution and associated aquatic and riparian habitat in select drainages of the Copper and Bering rivers.

This project is anticipated to add significant salmon habitat to the the State of Alaskas Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC). Only anadromous fish habitat listed in the AWC receives protection under the Anadromous Fish Act and various other policies that provide additional protections to specified anadromous fish habitat. Also, providing more complete and accessible fish community and habitat information will help ADF&G as well as other federal, state, and local resource agencies better implement their respective fish habitat management, protection, and research missions. Better protection and management of salmon habitat will benefit salmon fisheries and the communities they sustain by safeguarding critical salmon habitat and thereby ensuring the long-term productivity of habitats and their salmon populations.