Alaska Freshwater Fish Inventory (AFFI)
Overview

AFFI Overview

Alaska's abundant, remote, and predominantly pristine freshwater fish habitats are largely unexplored and undocumented. To begin filling these vast information gaps, the Alaska Freshwater Fish Inventory Database (AFFID) houses freshwater fish (anadromous and resident)-occurrence data sets compiled from a variety of sources. Most records in the AFFID come from Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) fish and aquatic habitat inventories. However, the AFFID also includes selected recent fish-occurrence data sets from ADF&G Fish Resource Permit fish-collection reports submitted to ADF&G by other organizations (agencies, consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and individuals) who collect fish for scientific or educational needs. ADF&G inventories are designed to identify all fish species occurring at study sites; however, other projects may have recorded only selected species. Even where efforts were made to identify all species present at the time of sampling, other species may occupy sampled waters at other times.

The AFFID is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool, but may be used as a reference source. The Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC) is the regulatory tool established by statute [AS 16.05.871(a)] to specify the various rivers, lakes and streams of the Alaska are important to the spawning, rearing, or migration of anadromous fishes.

Information presented in the AFFID is public and may be interpreted by organizations or individuals based on needs, but each user is responsible for the appropriate application. These data are intended for planning purposes--while they represent the best available observations, they do not eliminate the need for detailed study of specific sites intended for intensive uses. The AFFID is periodically updated as additional information becomes available.

The ADF&G cannot assure the accuracy of all reported data such as species identification. In general, voucher specimens are not retained for positive identification. Before observations are added to the AFFID, however, we do carefully review submitted observations and screen for anomalous records.

By providing more complete and more accessible fish community and habitat information, we will help our own agency, as well as other federal, state, and local resource agencies and the public better implement their respective fish habitat conservation, land use planning, and research missions and goals.

This project was made possible, in part, by funding from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No NA17OZ2058 and State Wildlife Grant T-1-14.

If you would like more information concerning the Alaska Freshwater Fish Inventory program and database, please contact Joe Giefer, (phone 907-267-2336) Habitat Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game or contact Ryan Snow for technical assistance with accessing or viewing AFFID data sets.