Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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FACTS Charter Reporting

​Spend more time being a waterman and less time reporting.

 
 
E-Reporting with FACTS allows charter captains in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and tributaries to submit harvest reports directly to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources electronically on the day of harvest. The FACTS mobile web application makes it possible for captains to have 24/7 access to their harvest records, provide fisheries managers real-time harvest information, and could help to manage your business. You can report on your desktop, tablet, smartphone, or through the call center.

​E-Reporting Sign Up Button
 


Available Training Options: 
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  • Online Training - This tutorial takes about 30 minutes and covers everything you would hear at an in-person Charter training session.  It is a self-paced combination of brief videos and information that lets you get the most out of your FACTS account. The link to the training will be emailed to you by the E-Reporting Team.
  • Fast FACTS Video - This brief program overview is about 10 minutes long and covers just the basics for the FACTS Charter program. It is designed to help get people started with FACTS and then we'll offer in-person training at a later date when circumstances allow. The link to the supporting Training Documents is available on our website and the Fast FACTS video link will be emailed to you by the E-Reporting Team..​
  • Mentoring - Know a FACTS user? See if they can show you the basics and we'll provide the training support with the Training Documents and program videos. Please be safe and observe appropriate social distancing requirements when working with others. 

​​​​​​​​​​NOTE:  All program participants need a DNRid in order to have a FACTS account.  If you need a DNRid, please use the COMPASS Tutorial to sign-in and create an account in the COMPASS licensing system​ to have one assigned to you.
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​​​​​​​​​​Why aren't recreational anglers using FACTS in Maryland? 
With the department's pilot program for the for-hire fleet successfully launched, we've heard some questions about why the recreational fishery is not able to use the system. Beyond the budget limitations of funding such a program, the Maryland licensing requirements make it more difficult to implement any census, including a real-time reporting system for such a large and changing population of recreational anglers.  View this Handout​ to learn more​​

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2021 Charter Pilot Program Update

The for-hire pilot using the FACTSTM electronic reporting system has been designed as a comprehensive and verifiable real-time reporting program. Since its launch in May of 2020, more than 365 individuals have been permitted to participate in the Charter Pilot. The continued growth of the program is also reflected in the number of trips and anglers being reported by Chesapeake Bay captains using the system. In 2020 a total of 10,646 trips with 69,666 anglers were reported between May – September. During that same timeframe in 2021, a total of 11,565 trips with 79,341 anglers were reported. The pilot is entering the final phase of the grant funding its development, but will continue to be supported by the department as a harvest reporting option.

Part of the success of the program depends on the required harvest verification done by Roving Monitors and Onboard Observers (pictured). While the Roving Monitors were able to meet many of the program participants at the dock, there continued to be a need to ensure that the Estimated Landing Time and Location being reported in participant End Hails were accurate. To improve landing location accuracy a new search feature was added to the system, allowing users to quickly find the address they needed.

Updates about the progress of the program will continue to be provided during the term of the pilot. If you have feedback and or suggestions for the FACTS program, please contact the E-Reporting Team:  FisheriesEReporting.dnr@maryland.gov.

 

 

        Get a head start! 

Sign up to be contacted by the E-Reporting Team 
and receive more information.

Missing harvest reports? Get a harvest report checkup and submit any missing reports prior to joining the program. You can print blank copies of all the required harvest reports online. Please contact the commercial harvest reporting group at​ FisheriesHarvestReport.dnr@maryland.gov​ or 410-260-8301 for assistance.

Have a TFL or other finfish license? If you are interested in joining the FACTS program for your Blue Crab and/or Finfish reporting, contact us today to get started. You’ll be able to report all your harvest activity online and use the program’s special flexibilities. There are several options for learning how to report electronically and we can help you find the way that works best for you.​


For more information, contact the program coordinator,
Stephanie Richards,
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